Naturopathic Doctor

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: Naturopaths (3123.3) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Other Professional Occupations in Health Diagnosing and Treating (D023) 
• 2011 NOC: Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (3125) 

Naturopathic doctors blend modern scientific knowledge with tradional and natural forms of treatment to support and stimulate the body's ability to heal itself and treat the underlying cause of disease. In general, they: 

• address the physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environmental and lifestyle factors affecting the patient's health
• diagnose and treat acute and chronic illness using a broad range of natural therapies
• develop individual treatment plans
• emphasize disease prevention and health promotion and encourage patients to take responsibility for their own health. 

To restore normal body function, naturopathic doctors look for the underlying causes of illness and disease such as:

• nutritional deficiency
• faulty posture
• impurities in the air, water or food
• sensitivities or intolerances (foods, chemicals)
• toxic influences of chemicals, drugs and metals
• inherited predispositions to disease
• physical or psychological stresses
• insufficient rest or recreation
• unsupervised self-treatment
• undiagnosed diseases, infections, organisms or imbalances.

Once they have identified the underlying causes of a patient's symptoms, naturopathic doctors develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatments may include:

• botanical medicine
• clinical nutrition
• homeopathic medicine
• acupuncture and oriental medicine 
• lifestyle counselling
• physical therapies (for example, massage, adjustment, hydrotherapy).

Naturopathic doctors refer patients to other health care practitioners when the patient requires treatment that is beyond their scope of practice (for example, surgery).

Most naturopathic doctors work in private clinics. They are on their feet examining and treating patients for part of their working day and at a desk talking to patients and doing paperwork for part of the day. Some lifting (up to 10 kilograms) is required.

Naturopathic doctors may set their own hours. However, for the convenience of their patients, they often work some evenings and weekends.

Naturopathic doctors need the following characteristics:

• the ability to establish rapport with patients and gain their trust and confidence
• emotional strength and maturity
• good communication skills.

They should enjoy gathering information by observing, interviewing and examining patients, providing naturopathic treatments and advising patients.

Most naturopathic doctors set up private practices of their own or join clinics with other health care practitioners. Some naturopathic doctors are employed in related research and development, marketing, government, teaching or consulting positions.

As with other health professions, naturopathic practices take time to build and success depends on individual initiative, experience and ability.

Naturopathic doctors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3125: Other Professional Occupations in Health Diagnosing and Treating. In Alberta, 96% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

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

Alberta Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (AANP) website: www.naturopathic-alberta.com

Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) website: www.cand.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.