How to become an assisting occupations in support of health services
Official title: Other assisting occupations in support of health services
Also called: Health aide, Chiropractic health assistant, Recreation aide - health services, Lens marker - health support services, Central service room worker - hospital, Activationist - health support services, Activity aide - health support services, Activity worker - health support services, Registered central service technician - medical, Activities coordinator - health support services, Adjuvant, Therapy aide
Other assisting workers in support of health services provide services and assistance to health care professionals and other health care staff. They are employed in hospitals, medical clinics, offices of health care professionals, nursing homes, optical retail stores and laboratories, and medical pathology laboratories.
Main tasks
- Audiometric technicians
- Under the supervision of audiologists, administer tests such as pure tone hearing screening, impedance tests and noise level measurements using equipment such as audiometers and sound level meters to determine hearing thresholds of patients
- Instruct patients on test procedures and record results
- Monitor, check and calibrate auditory equipment
- May take earmold impressions and fit and adjust hearing instruments
- Orthopedic technologists
- Assist orthopedic surgeons in the treatment of orthopedic diseases and injuries by applying and adjusting casts, splints, bandages and other orthopedic devices
- Assist in the application, maintenance and adjustment of traction equipment
How to become one
Audiometric technicians usually require a specialization in industrial audiometry testing. Orthopedic technologists usually require completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training or a college orthopedic technologist program. Registration with the Canadian Society of Orthopaedic Technologists is available and may be required by employers. Ophthalmic assistants require completion of a six to twelve month ophthalmic assistants college program or a minimum of one year of on-the-job training under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, and completion of an approved ophthalmic assistant home study program. Certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology may be required by employers. Health care courses or short-term college programs related to the work of medical therapy aides, such as recreational therapy programs, are available and may be required by employers. Sterile processing technicians require completion of secondary school and a six- to nine-month sterile processing college program. Completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training are usually required for other assisting occupations in this unit group.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 38% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions; Health aides/attendants/orderlies; Registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $44,850 a year The middle half earn $39,000 to $50,700.
- About 32,000 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 42,500 are projected by 2033. (+32.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
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Questions people ask
How do I become an assisting occupations in support of health services?
Audiometric technicians usually require a specialization in industrial audiometry testing. Orthopedic technologists usually require completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training or a college orthopedic technologist program. Registration with the Canadian Society of Orthopaedic Technologists is available and may be required by employers. Ophthalmic assistants require completion of a six to twelve month ophthalmic assistants college program or a minimum of one year of on-the-job training under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, and completion of an approved ophthalmic assistant home study program. Certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology may be required by employers. Health care courses or short-term college programs related to the work of medical therapy aides, such as recreational therapy programs, are available and may be required by employers. Sterile processing technicians require completion of secondary school and a six- to nine-month sterile processing college program. Completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training are usually required for other assisting occupations in this unit group.
How much does an assisting occupations in support of health services earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $44,850 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $39,000 to $50,700.
Is an assisting occupations in support of health services a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 33% by 2033, from about 32,000 to about 42,500 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an assisting occupations in support of health services?
Not always. 26% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03