32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
Other technical workers in therapy and assessment perform various technical therapy and assessment functions. Some may assist professionals such as audiologists, speech-language pathologists, ophthalmologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, community health centres, educational institutions, hearing aid retail stores, in the private practices of the professionals they assist, or they may be self-employed.
Profile
Index of titles
Assistive listening device technician
Audiological technician
Audiology technician
Audiometrician
Audiometrist
Certified ophthalmic medical technologist (COMT)
Certified ophthalmic technician (COT)
Communication aide - medical
Communication assistant - medical
Communication disorders assistant
Communication disorders instructor
Communicative disorders assistant
Communicative disorders instructor
Hearing aid assistant
Hearing aid consultant
Hearing aid dealer
Hearing aid practitioner
Hearing aid specialist
Hearing aid technician
Hearing assessment technician
Hearing disorder technician
Hearing instrument dispenser
Hearing instrument practitioner
Hearing instrument practitioner assistant
Hearing instrument specialist
Kinesitherapist
Licensed hearing instrument specialist
Manual arts therapist
Occupational therapy assistant
Occupational therapy technician
Ophthalmic medical technician
Ophthalmic medical technologist
Ophthalmic technician
Ophthalmic technician (except retail)
Ophthalmic technologist
Physical rehabilitation technician
Physical rehabilitation therapist
Physical therapist assistant (PTA)
Physical therapy aide
Physical therapy technician
Physiotherapist assistant (PTA)
Physiotherapy aide
Physiotherapy assistant
Physiotherapy technician
Recreation therapy assistant
Rehabilitation assistant
Speech aide
Speech correctionist - medical
Speech language assistant
Speech technician
Speech therapist aide
Speech therapist assistant
Speech therapy aide
Speech therapy assistant
Speech-language pathology assistant
Therapist assistant
Therapy assistant
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Hearing instrument practitioners
Examine adult clients to assess hearing loss using diagnostic evaluation and electro acoustic testing
Recommend and dispense or sell appropriate type of hearing instrument
Take earmold impressions for use in the manufacture of hearing devices
Fit, adjust and make minor modifications to hearing instruments
Educate clients in appropriate use, care and maintenance of hearing instruments
Communicate with audiologist or other health care professionals regarding patients' condition
Perform follow-up examinations and readjustments.
Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants
Assist speech-language pathologists and audiologists during assessment of patients
Carry out treatment programs, document results and develop materials for use with patients, under the supervision of speech-language pathologists or audiologists
Document patient rehabilitation progress
Check and maintain therapeutic equipment and materials.
Ophthalmic medical technologists and technicians
Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history
Conduct specialized testing such as refractometry, ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography or ocular motility testing to aid ophthalmologists in assessing patients' vision
Instruct patient on diagnostic test and record, interpret and troubleshoot results
Assist ophthalmologists in performing ophthalmic procedures, and surgeries
Prepare specimens for culture and staining
Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications as directed by ophthalmologists
Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment
May instruct and supervise other ophthalmic staff and perform various administrative duties
May participate in research activities.
Physical rehabilitation therapists
Collect and analyse information from clients' file upon referral from the physiotherapist or physician
Develop, implement and monitor treatment plans of clients in collaboration with the physiotherapist or physician
Use a variety of therapeutic modalities such as manual techniques (e.g. massage), exercises, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and thermotherapy (ice or heat) to achieve treatment objectives
Advise clients on postures, lifestyle and exercises to help them improve their physical condition.
Physiotherapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants
Under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, carry out treatment programs such as thermotherapy, traction, hydrotherapy and electrotherapeutic techniques to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities to maximize their ability to independently manage daily activities.
Employment requirements
Hearing instrument practitioners require completion of a two or three-year college diploma in a hearing instrument specialist program, and a period of supervised training.
Licensure with a regulatory body is required for hearing instrument practitioners in all provinces except in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Ontario. Ontario requires membership with the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners (AHIP). Hearing instrument practitioners can prescribe and dispense hearing instruments except in Ontario where dispensing is dependent on a prescription from a physician or audiologist.
Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants require completion of a three- to four-year college program.
Ophthalmic medical technicians require completion of a one-year hospital based ophthalmic technician training program or a minimum of one year on-the-job training working as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
Ophthalmic medical technologists require completion of a two-year hospital-based training program in ophthalmic medical technology, or a 4 year bachelor’s degree program in Ophthalmic Medical Technology or a minimum of two years of on-the-job training working as a Certified Ophthalmic Technician under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
Certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology may be required by employers.
Physical rehabilitation therapists, who are only found in Quebec, require completion of a three-year physiotherapy or rehabilitation techniques college program and a period of internship.
A permit to practice issued by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) is required for physical rehabilitation therapists.
Physiotherapy assistants require completion of a two-year physical therapy assistant (PTA) college program, or a two-year rehabilitation therapy assistant program and supervised practical training.
Occupational therapy assistants require completion of a two-year occupational therapy assistant (OTA) college program.
Additional information
Certified Ophthalmic Technician and Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist may have additional specialty certification such as Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB) or Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS).
In most provinces occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and physiotherapy assistants (PTA) receive training through a single OTA/PTA program in community colleges.
In Quebec, hearing instruments practitioners provide services to adults and children.
Ophthalmic medical technicians may progress to ophthalmic medical technologists’ positions with training, experience and certification.
Exclusions
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
Other assisting occupations in support of health services (33109)
Licensed practical nurses (32101)
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
Opticians (32100)
Paramedical occupations (32102)
Practitioners of natural healing (3220)
Medical technologists and technicians (3212)
Physiotherapists (31202)
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