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Clinical Consultant, Geriatric Services Practitioner
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
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Gerontology is the study of aging processes and individuals as they grow into later life. It includes the study of physical and mental changes in older adults. It also includes the study of social changes that come with an aging population. Increasingly, the scope of this work includes end-of-life planning and care.
Gerontological specialists’ duties and responsibilities vary a great deal. They may:
The title “gerontologist” refers to those with master’s or doctoral degrees in gerontology. They conduct research or teach at the post-secondary level. They develop and analyze policies on issues related to older adults. They consult on issues related to gerontology rather than working directly with older people, as gerontological specialists do.
Gerontological specialists may work in offices, institutional settings, or private homes. Those who work in clinical settings or provide services, such as health or counselling, may need to work shifts, evenings, and weekends. They may need to take clients on outings in the community.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in co-ordinating information to devise methods of collecting and analyzing data and to interpret data and correlate findings with other research in the same and related fields
Interest in consulting with governments and other organizations to report findings and bring forward recommendations; may teach at advanced educational levels
Interest in organizing data into forms suitable for application by governments and other organizations
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Gerontological specialists need:
They should enjoy working with older adults, organizing and interpreting information, and solving problems creatively.
Most gerontological specialists have a post-secondary degree in gerontology or social sciences. They may also have taken post-graduate coursework or completed a post-degree certificate in gerontology. They study age-related issues in fields including biology, education, environmental studies, ethics, health, human ecology, law, psychology, public administration, recreation, religion, and sociology.
Gerontological specialists come from various professional backgrounds. These include nursing, social work, dentistry, recreation, and law enforcement. Increasingly, employers are seeking candidates with formal education in the care of older adults or work experience in this field.
Universities throughout Alberta and other provinces offer degree programs in the social and health sciences. Some programs are offered online. For more information, see Related Occupational Profiles.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
While certification is not required by law, employers may require it.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Gerontological specialists work in community programs such as meals-on-wheels. They may work in public and private agencies including:
Many gerontological specialists work for the same types of employers as others in human services. However, they specialize in working with older adults. Employment prospects align favourably with the growing number of older adults in society.
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.
In the 4169: Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c. occupational group, 80.2% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4169: Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c. occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Gerontological specialists’ earnings vary with their responsibilities and qualifications, including education and experience. Salary ranges for those with professional qualifications are comparable to others in their profession. For information about salary levels in related occupations, see occupational profiles such as Licensed Practical Nurse, Psychologist, Recreation Therapist, Registered Nurse, Community Disability Services Practitioner, Social Worker, and Kinesiologist.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $21.00 | $42.06 | $32.76 | $33.00 |
| Overall | $23.25 | $55.54 | $44.68 | $43.11 |
| Top | $25.00 | $80.04 | $54.73 | $50.69 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,211 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $74,555 |
| Public Administration | $105,776 |
Alberta Association on Gerontology (AAG) website: www.albertaaging.ca
Alberta Gerontological Nurses Association website: www.agna.ca
Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) website: www.geron.org
Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) website: cagacg.ca
University of Alberta, Innovations in Seniors Care Research Unit website: ualberta.ca/nursing/research/research-units/iseniorsru
University of Alberta, International Network for Aging Research
website: ualberta.ca/rehabilitation/research/international-network-for-aging-research
University of Alberta, Special Interest Group on Aging website: ualberta.ca/rehabilitation/research/special-interest-group-on-aging
University of Calgary, Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging website: obrieniph.ucalgary.ca/aging
University of Victoria, Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health website: uvic.ca/research/centres/aging
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
