Chiropractic Assistant

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 3414.2: Therapy Assistants

2006 NOC-S

• D313: Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services

2011 NOC

• 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2016 NOC

• 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2021 NOC

• 33109: Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2023 OaSIS

• 33109.03: Rehabilitation aides

Chiropractic assistants work under a chiropractor’s supervision. The work may vary from clerical to clinical, depending on patients’ needs. The larger the practice, the more likely chiropractic assistants will specialize in a specific type of work. Larger clinics may cross-train chiropractic assistants in a variety of roles. Some assistants also do marketing and public relations for the clinic.

In general, chiropractic assistants:

• Perform routine reception and clerical duties, such as answering the phone, booking appointments, keeping patient records, and ordering supplies (to learn more, see the Administrative Assistant profile)
• Greet patients and manage their transition on entering and leaving the clinic
• Help patients to complete related health records (if necessary)
• Clean treatment rooms between appointments
• Perform objective clinical assessments
• Help with therapy, including applying ice and heat packs, or operating equipment such as ultrasound, laser, electrical muscle stimulation
• Keep the clinic tidy and sterile, including infection-control measures
• Process financial transactions such as receiving payments, submitting and reconciling insurance claims, and sending invoices
• Do routine bookkeeping tasks, such as bank deposits and payroll (to learn more, see the Accounting Technician profile)
• Enter data and transactions into electronic health-records software
• Prepare patient forms and charts for appointments
• Follow up with patients regarding their chiropractic care needs
• Discuss patient needs and concerns with the chiropractor

Chiropractic assistants might work weekdays, some evenings, or weekends depending on the clinic’s schedule. Work may be part time or full time. The work can vary from desk work to spending their whole shift moving around the clinic.

Chiropractic assistants work for chiropractors in private clinics and multidisciplinary health clinics.

Prospects for advancement depend on clinic size. Most chiropractors employ only one or two assistants, so future openings are limited. Learning new skills is the most common form of growth.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Other assisting occupations in support of health services
2016 NOC: 3414

83.7% of people in this occupational group work in:

• Health Care and Social Assistance

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

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3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2021 NOC: 33109

Hot

Job Market

3,200

Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2016 NOC: 3414

1.8%

Annual Growth
(Below average)

95

New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.