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Communication Disorders Assistant, Communication Health Assistant, Health Care Assistant, Rehabilitation Services Practitioner, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, Therapist 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:
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 compiling information on patients' progress
Interest in assisting patients in remedial programs by instructing them on ways to improve communication skills
Interest in handling equipment and materials used for remedial programs
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.
Speech-language assistants work with people of all ages in various settings. Their duties vary. In general, they:
Speech-language assistants tend to work standard weekday hours. They often work in schools but may also work in health facilities and clinics. They may need to travel to various locations and transport heavy equipment or supplies.
Speech-language assistants need to possess:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 13 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 24, 2021 and May 20, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 11 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 11 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 10 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 10 |
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 10 |
| Clean and maintain equipment | 9 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 9 |
| Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history | 8 |
| Personal Suitability: Initiative | 8 |
| Carry out treatment programs, under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities | 8 |
Some speech-language assistants get on-the-job training. Most employers prefer to hire those who have a related diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience (such as experience working with people who have disabilities). Fluency in a language other than English, computer skills and a valid driver’s licence are assets.
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.
Voluntary certification is available from the Therapy Assistant Association of Alberta (ThAAA).
To become certified, speech-language assistants must meet at least one of the following requirements:
To maintain certification, speech-language assistants must undertake competency development each year.
Speech-language assistants work in:
Without further education, opportunities to advance are limited.
Speech-language assistants are part of the 2011 National Occupational Classification 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment. In Alberta, 87% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 3237: Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 75 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.
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 | $15.00 | $34.00 | $20.85 | $19.06 |
| Overall | $17.00 | $41.70 | $25.61 | $23.01 |
| Top | $19.10 | $47.30 | $29.23 | $24.95 |
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
| Educational Services | $46,095 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $42,149 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $40,825 |
Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) website: acslpa.ab.ca
Communicative Disorders Assistant Association of Canada (CDAAC) website: cdaac.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
Therapy Assistant Association of Alberta (ThAAA) website: thaaa.ca
Speech-Language and Audiology Canada website: www.sac-oac.ca
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.