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3 Health occupations > Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment (NOC 3144)

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Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment (NOC 3144)


Description

This unit group includes specialized therapists not elsewhere classified who use techniques such as art, athletic, dance, music or recreational therapy or remedial gymnastics to aid in the treatment of mental and physical disabilities. They are employed by establishments such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, clinics, recreational centres, nursing homes, educational institutions, prisons and day-care facilities or may work in private practice.

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Example Titles

  • art therapist
  • art therapy consultant
  • athletic therapist
  • dance therapist
  • dance-movement therapy researcher
  • movement therapist
  • music therapist
  • music therapy researcher
  • recreational therapist
  • remedial gymnast

      >> View all titles

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Classified Elsewhere

  • Exercise Therapists (in 4167 Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants)
  • Occupational Therapists (3143)
  • Physiotherapists (3142)
  • Technical assistants in therapy and assessment (in 3235 Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment)

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Duties

Therapists and other professionals in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Assess patients and review reports from physicians, psychiatrists, counsellors, teachers and others to determine current and potential functioning level
  • Prepare individualized and group treatment plans either independently or through an interdisciplinary team approach
  • Implement treatment plan by carrying out specialized therapy sessions employing techniques such as art, athletics, dance, music or recreational therapy or remedial gymnastics
  • Observe and analyze patients during treatment sessions
  • Record observations, write progress reports and consult with other health care professionals to evaluate treatment plan
  • Initiate, design and implement specialized therapy programs for the general patient population or in the community
  • May conduct research in field of specialization.

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Skills

Therapy and assessment professionals should have the following skills and abilities:

Essential skills:

  • be able to relate well to a wide range of people and gain their confidence,
  • ability to work independently and as a member of a team,
  • good problem-solving and decision-making skills,
  • emotional stability, maturity, integrity, reliability, realistic self appraisal,
  • ability to cope with stressful situations,
  • good listening and observational skills,
  • good verbal and written communication skills,
  • knowledge of computers.

Technical skills:

  • administrative skills such as basic accounting, human resources and materials
  • management may be required for therapists operating their own offices.

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Employment Requirements

  • Athletic therapists usually require a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy or sports therapy.
  • Art therapists require a graduate degree in art therapy.
  • Dance therapists require a bachelor's degree in psychology or dance/movement therapy.
  • Music therapists usually require a bachelor's degree in music therapy.
  • Remedial gymnasts usually require completion of an approved college program in remedial gymnastics.
  • Creative or technical ability in the field of specialization is usually required.
  • Certification or membership with the appropriate national professional association or provincial counterpart may be required.

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Terms & Conditions

Other professionals in therapy and assessment commonly work indoors. Their work is often physically demanding because they have to lift and move patients, as well as provide assistance in performing various exercises for the purposes of rehabilitation. Although most work during regular business hours, some may work evenings or weekends in order to meet client needs.

While part time work opportunities are available, the majority of professionals in therapy and assessment work full-time (73%). A minority are self-employed (28%).

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Earnings

$29,100 per annum - starting

$42,300 per annum - average

$55,100 er annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

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Education / Training

The University of Manitoba, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Studies offers the following degree programs:

The University of Manitoba, School of Medical Rehabilitation offers the following degree program:

The Canadian Mennonite University offers:

The following Recreational Therapy programs are offered in Manitoba:

There are no programs in art therapy in Manitoba. The following programs are available out-of-province:

There are no programs in dance therapy offered in Canada. The following programs are available in other countries:

  • Australia: Wesley Institute for Ministry and the Arts offers a dance an approved dance therapy course in Calgary and periodically at Concordia University in Montreal each
  • summer
  • Students who have a master's degree in psychology or social work and who complete ten courses and a 700-hour supervised dance therapy internship are eligible for certification by the American Dance Therapy Association. http://www.adta.org/
  • Several Institutes in the United States offer programs in dance therapy.

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Career Paths

Therapists may work in research, teaching and consultation. Therapists may work in community health centres, hospitals, clinics, personal care or long term care facilities or may operate their own private practice.

Individuals generally do not move between different occupations in this group because of their technical specialization.

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists may share many of the skills of these therapist and assessment professionals, but additional education and training are required to move into these occupations.

Progression to management positions is possible through experience and additional training.

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Outlook

Employment prospects for other professionals in therapy and assessment are expected to be good in the period 2009 - 2013. This is a very small occupational group, and the number of jobs in Manitoba in 2009 is estimated at 185.

Employment growth for other professionals in therapy and assessment is generally influenced by the level of government funding for health care services. An ageing population is likely to increase the demand for various kinds of therapeutic treatments which do not involve, or are used in combination with, the use of prescription drugs. Job opportunities are expected to increase slightly in long term care facilities, seniors residences, and community based rehabilitation centres. Over the forecast period it is also expected that incremental job opportunities will arise for self-employed therapists in product development, work site design, exercise program development, and marketing preventative care products and services.

A proportionally larger number of therapy and assessment specialists are located in Winnipeg. Across industries, employment in these occupations is concentrated in Health Care and Social Assistance (76%).

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Employment by Age Group

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Employment by Industry

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Employment by Region

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Employment by Gender

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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification

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Employment by Visible Minority

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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.



Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...

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Service Canada Province of Manitoba