PeernovoSign inCareer quiz
Nursing and allied health professionals

How to become a physician assistant, midwive or allied health professional

Official title: Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals

Also called: Pathology assistant, Physician assistant, Pathologists' assistant, Midwife, Orthoptist, Chief orthoptist, Licensed midwife, Genetic counsellor, Clinical orthoptist, Registered midwife (rm)

Physician assistants and midwives provide primary health care and treatment in conjunction with physicians and in collaboration with other health professionals. Physician assistants provide a range of health services to patients delivering preventive and continuous care toward the management of patients' health. Midwives provide full-course care to women and their babies during the pre- and post-natal period. This unit group also includes professionals such as genetic counsellors, orthoptists and pathologists' assistants, who work in collaboration with primary health occupations. Genetic counsellors assess individual or family risk of genetic conditions, and provide information to individuals, families and healthcare providers to promote informed choice. Orthoptists diagnose and treat binocular disorders. Pathologists' assistants assist at autopsies and examinations of surgical specimens, or perform autopsies under a pathologist's supervision. Physician assistants usually work under physicians in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals and clinics. Midwives are employed in hospitals, clinics, birthing centres or in private practice. Genetic counsellors usually work in private practice, hospitals, clinics and research institutes. Orthoptists work under an ophthalmologist, particularly in private practices or clinics. Pathologists' assistants are usually employed in hospitals and universities.

Main tasks

How to become one

Physician assistants Physician assistants require completion of a university degree in a physician assistant program. Physician assistants require registration with a regulatory body in Manitoba and New Brunswick. Midwives Midwives require completion of an undergraduate university degree program in midwifery or its equivalent and a period of supervised practical training. Registration with a regulatory body is required for midwives in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Genetic counsellors Genetic counsellors usually require a master's degree in genetic counselling and the certification with the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC). Orthoptists A bachelor's degree and completion of a two-year accredited training program in orthoptics are required. Certification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council is required. Continuing education is required for recertification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council. Pathologists' assistants Pathologists' assistants usually require completion of a master's degree in a pathologists' assistant program. Certification by the Canadian Certification Council of Pathologists' Assistants, the American Society for Clinical Pathology - Board of Certification, or Pathologists' Assistant Certification Examination is usually required by employers. Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Pathologists, is voluntary, but may be required by some employers.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

Pay · Outlook

Related jobs

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a physician assistant, midwive or allied health professional?

Physician assistants Physician assistants require completion of a university degree in a physician assistant program. Physician assistants require registration with a regulatory body in Manitoba and New Brunswick. Midwives Midwives require completion of an undergraduate university degree program in midwifery or its equivalent and a period of supervised practical training. Registration with a regulatory body is required for midwives in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Genetic counsellors Genetic counsellors usually require a master's degree in genetic counselling and the certification with the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC). Orthoptists A bachelor's degree and completion of a two-year accredited training program in orthoptics are required. Certification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council is required. Continuing education is required for recertification with the Canadian Orthoptic Council. Pathologists' assistants Pathologists' assistants usually require completion of a master's degree in a pathologists' assistant program. Certification by the Canadian Certification Council of Pathologists' Assistants, the American Society for Clinical Pathology - Board of Certification, or Pathologists' Assistant Certification Examination is usually required by employers. Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Pathologists, is voluntary, but may be required by some employers.

How much does a physician assistant, midwive or allied health professional earn in Canada?

Median full-time pay is $91,280 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)).

Is a physician assistant, midwive or allied health professional a growing career in Canada?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2033, from about 6,400 to about 7,900 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).

Do you need a degree to become a physician assistant, midwive or allied health professional?

Usually. 83% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Sources

Updated 2026-10-03