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Naturopathic Doctor
Naturopathic doctors use natural, non-toxic healing therapies to treat patients’ illnesses.
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Avg. Salary $87,305.00
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Avg. Wage $48.15
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Minimum Education 7 years post-secondary
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Outlook N/A
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Employed < 1500
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In Demand Medium
Also Known As
Complementary Medicine Practitioner, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
NOC Codes
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)
- 2016 NOC: Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (3125)
Interest Codes
The Naturopathic Doctor is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Naturopaths
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in co-ordinating information obtained by observing, interviewing and examining patients to diagnose and treat disorders and illnesses with natural methods of healing such as herbal medicines, biochemical therapy, clinical nutrition, homeopathy and counselling
- METHODICAL
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Interest in operating equipment to perform acupuncture and hydrotherapy; and in performing acupressure, reflexology and spinal manipulation
- SOCIAL
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Interest in mentoring patients by prescribing treatments and diets that include natural foods and herbs, corrective exercises and other natural methods of healing
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
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 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.
Duties
Updated Mar 08, 2016
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) combine modern science with traditional and natural forms of treatment. They treat the root causes of disease. They support the body to heal itself. In general, they:
- address factors affecting a patient’s health (such as physiology, structure, psychology, environment, lifestyle, and social and spiritual issues)
- diagnose acute and chronic illness.
- treat illness using a range of natural and conventional therapies
- develop personal treatment plans
- emphasize disease prevention and promote good health
- encourage patients to take responsibility for their own health
- work with other licensed health-care providers.
To restore normal function, NDs look for the root causes of disease. These may include:
- poor nutrition
- poor posture
- impurities (in the air, water or food)
- sensitivities or allergies (such as to foods or chemicals)
- toxic influences (such as chemicals, drugs and metals)
- genetic links to disease
- physical or mental stresses
- lack of rest or recreation
- incorrect self-treatment
- undiagnosed diseases, infections, organisms or imbalances.
After assessing the causes of a patient’s symptoms, NDs create a treatment plan. This may include:
- plant-based medicine
- clinical nutrition
- homeopathic medicine
- acupuncture and oriental medicine
- lifestyle counselling
- physical therapies (such as massage, chiropractic adjustment or, hydrotherapy).
Many NDs take advanced training in specific therapies (such as intravenous therapy or chelation therapy). They refer patients to other health-care providers when the required treatment is beyond their scope of practice (such as when patients need surgery).
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 08, 2016
Most naturopathic doctors (NDs) work in private or multi-use clinics. They spend part of their working day on their feet examining and treating patients. They also spend time at a desk talking to patients and doing paperwork.
NDs may set their own hours. They often work some evenings and weekends to meet patient needs.
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Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 08, 2016
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) need to possess:
- the ability to gain their patients’ trust and confidence
- emotional strength and maturity
- good communication skills.
They should enjoy:
- collecting information (by observing, interviewing and examining patients)
- providing natural treatments
- advising patients.
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 08, 2016
Training for a career as a naturopathic doctor (ND) requires a bachelor’s degree with pre-med sciences followed by 4 years in an accredited Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program. To practise, graduates must write and pass the North American standardized Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exams (NPLEX). They must also pass exams in their jurisdiction. There are 2 accredited Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine programs in Canada:
- The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster, British Columbia. The entrance requirement is a bachelor’s degree with a competitive average in biochemistry, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, psychology and the humanities.
- The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. The entrance requirement is a bachelor’s degree with a competitive average in general biology, physiology, organic chemistry (with lab), biochemistry, psychology and the humanities.
In the United States, the following schools offer ND programs:
- Bastyr University School of Naturopathic Medicine near Seattle, Washington
- National University of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon
- National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois
- Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Scottsdale, Arizona
- University of Bridgeport The New Centre for Naturopathic Medicine in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Consult these institutions before registering in a pre-professional program to ensure their entrance requirements will be met.
In Alberta, colleges and universities located throughout the province may offer the pre-professional courses required for admission to ND programs. Post-secondary entrance requirements vary depending on the institution and the program. In general, they include a high school diploma with a good average in 5 related Grade 12 subjects (such as English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30 and Physics 30).
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 08, 2016
To practice naturopathic medicine in regulated Canadian provinces and American states, graduates of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine programs must pass standardized licensing exams and register with appropriate provincial or state licensing boards.
Naturopathic Doctor
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.
Legislation
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Naturopaths Profession Regulation, registration with the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta is mandatory if you meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession, or supervise registered members or students who provide services to the public. Registered members who are authorized by the College may perform restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only Regulated Members may call themselves naturopathic doctors, naturopathic practitioners, naturopaths or doctors of naturopathic medicine.
What You Need
Registration requires successful completion of: (1) an approved naturopathic program of studies and (2) approved examinations. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit CNDA website or contact the CNDA.
Working in Alberta
Naturopaths who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered naturopaths in two juridictions have similiar responsibilities and competencies. For more information see" What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
Contact Details
College of Naturopathic Practitioners of Alberta
813 14 St NW
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2N 2A4
Phone number: 403-266-2446
Fax number: 403-256-2433
Website: www.cnda.net
Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 08, 2016
Most naturopathic doctors (NDs) set up private practices or join clinics with other health-care providers. Some work in research and development, marketing, government, teaching or consulting.
As with other health professions, ND practices take time to build. 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 [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
- size of the occupation.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 08, 2016
Naturopathic doctors in private practice are self-employed. Their incomes vary with location, number of patient visits and the cost of running a private practice.
Naturopathic doctors are part of the larger 2016 National Occupational Classification 3125: Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating.
According to the 2019 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating occupational group earned on average from $38.58 to $54.07 an hour. The overall average was $48.15 an hour. For more information, see the Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating wage profile.
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 08, 2016
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) website: www.cand.ca
College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta (CNDA) website: www.cnda.net
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 22, 2018. 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.
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