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Clinician, Orthotist Clinician, Prosthetic Clinician
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
Prosthetists and orthotists may work with people of all ages or with specific age groups, such as children or seniors. In general, they:
Prosthetists and orthotists may work with physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, nurses, and other health professionals. They are often considered primary providers of their patients’ long-term care.
Prosthetists and orthotists work in private clinics, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, and hospitals. Some employers may expect them to drive to various locations such as hospitals or clients homes.
Prosthetists and orthotists may assist patients with limited mobility. They may help transfer patients and adjust equipment and devices. Providing direct patient care involves bending, stretching, standing, kneeling, and reaching. If they use grinding and heating machinery, they need to wear safety equipment.
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 precision working with equipment to make and modify plaster casts of areas to receive prostheses and orthoses, to fabricate prosthetic and orthotic appliances and to fit, adjust and repair appliances
Interest in analyzing physicians' specifications; and in examining and measuring patients to develop working sketches of appliances
Interest in supervising and directing the activities of prosthetic and orthotic technicians; and in advising patients in the use and care of prostheses and orthoses
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.
Prosthetists and orthotists need:
They should enjoy working with tools, instruments, and machinery at precision tasks. They need an aptitude for analyzing biomechanical scenarios and solving problems creatively. They should be comfortable working with people and directing the activities of others.
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.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 104 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 12, 2024 and Apr 25, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Maintain inventories of medications and prescription records of pharmaceutical products | 76 |
|---|---|
| Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 73 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 72 |
| Tasks: Ensure the information on prescriptions is accurate, enter client information in databases and prepare medications for clients | 72 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 66 |
| Attention to detail | 66 |
| Tasks: Compound oral solutions, ointments and creams | 66 |
| Tasks: Bill third party insurers | 59 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 48 |
| Tasks: Organize and maintain inventory | 39 |
Educational requirements vary. Most often, students must complete a 2-year diploma program followed by a 2-year residency. They must then pass a certification exam.
The following institutions offer clinical prosthetic and orthotic programs in English. The programs are accredited by Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC).
The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology (GBC) in Toronto and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Burnaby offer a 2-year Clinical Methods in Orthotics and Prosthetics diploma program. Entrance requirements include a related bachelor’s degree, an admissions test, an application portfolio, and an interview.
BCIT also offers a 2-year post-graduate diploma program in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
BCIT and GBC students who have completed a bachelor’s degree may apply to McMaster University to pursue a master of science (M.Sc.) degree in rehabilitation science. Students complete this graduate program concurrently with the Prosthetics and Orthotics program. For more information, see the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University website.
Prosthetists and orthotists who own their own businesses may find value in having some business education to enhance their clinics.
Prosthetists and orthotists should stay on top of current practices and technologies to ensure the most up-to-date client prescriptions.
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.
No legislation currently regulates this occupation. However, private and provincial funding agencies require prosthetists and orthotists to be certified by the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CBCPO) through Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC).
Certification requires successful completion of:
Some who are certified in one discipline wish to become certified in the other as well. To qualify for the second examination, candidates must complete a 3,450-hour residency in the second discipline. A second option is to practice for 5 years in the first discipline and then complete a 1,725-hour residency in the second discipline.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Prosthetists and orthotists work in:
There are few positions for this occupation in Alberta. Many prosthetists and orthotists set up their own companies and work independently.
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 3219: Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) occupational group, 94.6% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 3219: Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 96 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
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
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 | $16.00 | $34.23 | $25.02 | $26.86 |
| Overall | $20.51 | $50.19 | $33.32 | $35.54 |
| Top | $27.00 | $59.28 | $37.95 | $37.38 |
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 | $60,881 |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | $41,645 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $70,325 |
| Public Administration | $75,751 |
Alberta Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) website: www.albertaoandp.com
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Canada (ISPO Canada) website: www.ispo.ca
Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC) website: opcanada.ca
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.
