Other Health Diagnosing and Treating Professionals
(NOC 3125)
in All HealthThese jobs include health professionals who diagnose and treat the diseases and injuries of patients. This includes doctors of podiatric medicine, chiropodists and podiatrists, naturopaths, orthoptists and osteopathic manual practitioners. They work in private practices, clinics and hospitals.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
Read more
Compared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$44,444
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
These jobs include health professionals who diagnose and treat the diseases and injuries of patients. This includes doctors of podiatric medicine, chiropodists and podiatrists, naturopaths, orthoptists and osteopathic manual practitioners. They work in private practices, clinics and hospitals.
Job duties
Doctors of podiatric medicine:
- Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot and communicate diagnoses to patients.
- Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy, or prescribed medications.
- May also perform surgery on the bones of the forefoot and the subcutaneous soft tissues of the foot.
Chiropodists and diploma or first-degree trained podiatrists:
- Diagnose diseases, deformities, and injuries of the human foot.
- Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy, and subcutaneous soft-tissue foot surgery.
Naturopaths:
- Diagnose patients' diseases and disorders.
- Employ natural methods of healing like acupuncture and acupressure, spinal manipulation, reflexology, hydrotherapy, herbal medicines, biochemical therapy, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, and counselling in their treatment.
Orthoptists:
- Work alongside ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat eye disorders by performing specialized eye tests to measure and assess defective binocular vision or abnormal eye movement in patients.
- Prescribe treatment like eye exercises or patching regimens.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine:
- Diagnose disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, and nervous systems.
- Treat patients with manipulative therapy, medications, or surgery.
Sample job titles
- chiropodist
- doctor of osteopathy
- doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)
- foot specialist
- naturopath
- naturopathic doctor (ND)
- orthoptist
- osteopath
- osteopathic manual practitioner
- podiatrist
Skills
- You should be interested in the health and well-being of others. An interest in science is also important. You must be patient, tolerant, and sensitive to the needs of others. Good coordination and manual dexterity are necessary. Physical stamina may be needed as well. You should like children if you are considering a career as an Orthoptist.
Job requirements
- Doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M): a four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medicine, available in the United States and in Quebec, normally following completion of a bachelor's degree program, is required.
- Chiropodists and podiatrists: a three-year diploma program in chiropody (DCh) obtained in Canada or a first-degree program in podiatric medicine (D.Pod.M.) obtained abroad (United Kingdom) is usually required.
- Naturopaths: a university degree in pre-medical science is required. Completion of a university program in naturopathic medicine, obtained abroad or a four-year program in naturopathic medicine from a private institute is required.
- Orthoptists: a bachelor's degree and completion of a two-year accredited training program in orthoptics are required. Certification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council is required. Continuing education is required for recertification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council.
- Osteopaths: a bachelor's degree is required for admission to an osteopathic manual practice program. Completion of a traditional osteopathic manual practice program is required.
Other considerations
- With the exception of training for orthoptists and osteopaths, there are currently no training programs available in Nova Scotia for the jobs in this occupational group. Chiropodist and podiatrist titles are used interchangeably in some provinces, although the title podiatrist is becoming more common. The use of the podiatrist job title does not necessarily refer to doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.). Orthoptists often work as part of a medical team which includes ophthalmologists, opticians and other ophthalmic medical personnel. Orthoptists may also be trained as ophthalmic technicians or technologists. Osteopaths may obtain a licence as general practitioners.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$24,708 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$44,519 median annual incomeSouthern
N/ANorth Shore
N/ACape Breton
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
25-34
35-44
55-64
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$36,652 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
N/AMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
N/ACollege Diploma
N/AMaster
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (DO)
University ProgramThese programs prepare students for the independent professional practice of osteopathic medicine, involving a combination of medical principles and procedures and osteopathic principles of holistic medicine and the relationship of the musculoskeletal system to general health. They include courses in the basic medical sciences, preventive medicine, family and community medicine, medical informatics, disease systems, organ and physiologic systems, osteopathic principles and practice, osteopathic manipulative treatment, musculoskeletal and skin systems, clinical specialty rotations, medical ethics, and professional standards and practice management.
Institutions providing this program
Halifax, NS
Vision Science/Physiological Optics
University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific study of vision, visual processes, and related phenomena and clinical research and treatment modalities. They include courses in ocular anatomy and physiology, microbiology of the eye, electrophysiology, neurophysiology, corneal physiology, photochemistry, psychophysics, visual biophysics and motor systems, sensory mechanisms and photoreception, eye circulation and metabolism, geometric and physical optics, ocular development across the lifespan, visual stimuli and perception, colour vision, eye motility, biometrics and measurement techniques, visual pathology, and environmental issues.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional designation. Professional designation shows that the holder has met provincial standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, but professional designation is not necessary to do this work.
Special Requirements: Standards exist for this job in Nova Scotia. Certification or membership in a professional body may be required by employers, but a certificate is not needed to do this work.