Canada’s Category Based Stream encompasses a wide range of healthcare occupations. These professions play a crucial role in the healthcare system, offering essential services to support patient care, clinical operations, therapy, and other health-related activities. This page provides a brief overview of some of the key healthcare occupations included in the Category Based Stream.

To qualify you must have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience in one of the occupations listed below. Contact us for more details.

Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists work with patients who have hearing, balance, and speech disorders. They diagnose and treat these conditions, helping patients to improve their communication skills and overall quality of life.

Chiropractors

Chiropractors provide care for patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system. They use spinal adjustments, manipulation, and other techniques to manage patients’ health concerns, particularly those involving the spine.

Dentists

Dentists diagnose and treat issues related to patients’ teeth and mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth and gums, diet choices that affect oral health, and use of fluorides.

Dieticians and Nutritionists

Dietitians and nutritionists advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal. They assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.

Education Counsellors

Education counsellors provide guidance to students, helping them make informed educational and career choices. They may also assist students with personal, family, educational, mental health, and career decisions and problems.

General Practitioners and Family Physicians

General practitioners and family physicians diagnose and treat a variety of diseases and physiological disorders and refer patients to necessary specialists.

Instructors of Persons with Disabilities

Instructors of persons with disabilities teach children and adults using a variety of techniques to facilitate learning and mental, emotional, and physical development. They work in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, and patients’ homes.

Kinesiologists and Other Professionals in Therapy and Assessment

Kinesiologists, along with other therapy and assessment professionals, use human movement science to treat and prevent injuries and chronic diseases to improve movement and performance.

Licensed Practical Nurses

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic medical and nursing care such as checking blood pressure and inserting catheters, ensure the comfort of patients by helping them bathe or dress, discuss health care with patients, and report status of patients to registered nurses and doctors.

Massage Therapists

Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. They use their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, and sometimes feet to knead muscles and soft tissues of the body.

Medical Laboratory Assistants and Related Technical Occupations

Medical laboratory assistants and technicians perform a variety of tasks to assist in the treatment and diagnosis of disease. They prepare specimens, perform basic laboratory procedures, and operate related laboratory equipment.

Medical Laboratory Technologists

Medical laboratory technologists conduct medical laboratory tests, experiments and analyses to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. They are employed in medical laboratories in hospitals, blood donor clinics, research facilities and universities.

Medical Radiation Technologists

Medical radiation technologists operate radiographic and radiation therapy equipment to administer radiation treatment and produce images of body structures for the diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease.

Medical Sonographers

Medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of various parts of the body to aid physicians in monitoring pregnancies and in diagnosing cardiac, ophthalmic, vascular and other medical disorders.

Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates assist nurses, hospital staff, and physicians in the basic care of patients. They provide non-medical, personal assistance for patients, such as helping with bathing, dressing, and eating.

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who, through advanced education and clinical training, have expanded their practice to include ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing disease, prescribing medication and performing certain procedures.

Nursing Coordinators and Supervisors

Nursing coordinators and supervisors oversee and coordinate the activities of nursing staff in the provision of patient care. They ensure that patients receive appropriate care and that nursing procedures are followed according to standards and guidelines.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and ageing to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure.

Optometrists

Optometrists examine eyes and diagnose ocular diseases and disorders. They prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses and recommend treatments such as exercises to correct vision problems or ocular disorders.

Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services

Professionals in this category support the healthcare industry in a variety of roles. These can include medical assistants, healthcare assistants, and patient service associates who provide direct support to physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Other Practitioners of Natural Healing

This category includes practitioners of alternative and complementary medicine, such as homeopaths, naturopaths, and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. They offer alternative healing methods to patients, focusing on holistic treatment approaches.

Other Professional Occupations in Health Diagnosing and Treating

This category encompasses a range of professional roles in healthcare that aren’t covered under other headings. This could include professions like podiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other specialists who provide critical health services.

Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment

Professionals in this category offer therapeutic services and carry out assessments to support the treatment of patients. This might include roles like respiratory therapists, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists.

Paramedical Occupations

Paramedical professionals provide essential pre-hospital emergency medical services. Roles in this category include emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, who provide immediate response to emergency medical 911 calls.

Pharmacy Technical Assistants and Pharmacy Assistants

Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants support pharmacists by receiving, organizing, and maintaining the medication inventory and supplies. They may also assist in the preparation and packaging of medications and other associated duties.

Physician Assistants, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals

Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Midwives provide care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and childbirth and postnatal period. Allied health professionals is a term used to describe a range of healthcare professionals distinct from nursing, medicine, and pharmacy such as dietitians, physiotherapists, and radiographers.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists work with patients who have a range of conditions, including neurological, neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory, to improve their body movement and function. They use a variety of techniques to help their patients, such as exercise, manual therapy, and advice.

The healthcare occupations listed here are a part of a vast and varied field, each playing a unique role in maintaining the health and well-being of Canadians. For a more in-depth understanding of each profession, check out their individual pages. More occupations to come in the following sections. Stay connected for more information.