Veterinarian

When we have sore throats, pain, or fever, we go to the doctor. We might have a cold, the flu, or something more serious. However, when animals are sick they can’t tell us what’s wrong, and because their biology is different from ours, we have to take them to specially trained animal doctors, called veterinarians (or vets).

Veterinarians treat sick and injured animals, provide preventive medical services, and give advice about animal care and breeding to owners. They may specialize in the care and treatment of either small or large animals.

Small animal veterinarians deal mostly with household pets, such as dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and even reptiles. They usually work in cities and have owners bring their animals to a clinic or office-place.

Large animal veterinarians, who commonly work with horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and other farm animals, often have mobile practices. They may travel all over the countryside at all hours of the day and night, performing urgent procedures on sick or injured animals. This type of veterinarian does much of their work with food-producing animals on large, corporate-run farms.

The day-to-day work of veterinarians involves examining animals, making diagnoses, doing blood tests or x-rays, treating animals’ diseases or injuries, performing necessary surgery, and preventing animal illness through vaccinations. They are also often called upon to help very old, sick, or unwanted animals die in a relatively pain-free way.

Some veterinarians work with companies that develop and produce food or drugs to keep animals healthy. Others are employed by the government to inspect livestock for diseases. Quite a few take part in medical research projects that use animals as test subjects.

NOC Code: 3114

Sport Psychology Consultant

Competitive athletes need to be on top of their game at all times, mentally as well as physically. A single lapse in concentration can mean the difference between winning and losing. It is the job of sport psychology consultants to ensure that athletes are mentally prepared for competition.

Sport psychology consultants, or sport psychologists, teach athletes mental techniques to help them improve their performance. These techniques may focus on an athlete’s motivation, confidence, concentration, attitude, or goals. Consultants also help athletes cope with nerves and pressure.

For example, a consultant might teach a swimmer who is experiencing a lack of confidence to set realistic performance goals. As the swimmer reaches each of these goals, his or her confidence will improve. Similarly, a consultant might provide a nervous skier with relaxation techniques.

In many cases consultants’ clients are athletes who are experiencing a particular problem, such as an inability to concentrate during important games. However, consultants also counsel athletes who are not experiencing any problems with performance. They help these athletes to maintain a high level of mental fitness throughout their careers, to ensure that problems such as a lack of concentration do not develop. They may also help athletes prepare for a major competition, such as the Olympic Games.

Although consultants usually work on a one-on-one basis with clients, they occasionally work with groups of athletes. For example, a consultant may work with an entire team of basketball players to improve the team’s unity.

Sport psychology consultants also help athletes with areas of their career unrelated to performance. For example, they may help an athlete make the mental adjustments necessary to cope with coming back from an injury. In addition, some consultants help retiring athletes make the transition from sports to the “real world.”

Many people in this field work in academia (for example, as professors or department heads). These professionals teach students, conduct research into sport psychology, and publish their work in academic journals.

NOC Code: 4151

Speech-Language Pathologist

Most of us take communication for granted. We can say what we want, when we want, even if we’re not always eloquent. However, many people have speech and language difficulties that interfere with their jobs, relationships, and quality of life.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with people suffering from these types of difficulties. They diagnose problems, and develop and carry out treatment programs tailored to each patient's needs.

Language difficulties are sometimes related to learning disabilities or to conditions such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. In many cases, speech and language problems are the result of strokes or head injuries. Other problems, such as stuttering, have no clear cause.

For individuals with little or no speech capability, SLPs teach the use of alternative communication methods, including the use of automated devices and sign language. They teach patients how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their language skills to communicate more effectively.

During the treatment process, an SLP may also use books, pictures, toys, or sophisticated equipment such as sound analyzers and multimedia computer programs.

Speech-language pathologists work in hospitals, schools, research institutes, community health clinics, and (increasingly) in private practice. In speech and language clinics they develop and carry out treatment programs. In hospitals, SLPs work closely with psychologists, occupational therapists, dentists, and other health professionals to diagnose and treat a wide variety of communication disorders.

In schools, SLPs work with teachers to improve speech and language in the classroom and to identify students who are at risk of developing long-term communication problems.

SLPs can choose to specialize in the treatment of specific types of disorders. For example, one may work primarily with elderly people who have had a stroke or suffer from Alzheimer’s, while another might deal with developmentally-delayed children.

In addition to treating patients or clients, SLPs teach families, therapists, teachers, and other caregivers about the nature of a client’s disorder and how appropriate support can be provided.

NOC Code: 3141

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists treat patients with chronic asthma, emphysema, or other lung diseases, and provide temporary relief and emergency care to victims of heart attacks, stroke, drowning, or shock. Their patients range from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to people whose lungs are diseased.

Respiratory therapists work alongside physicians, helping them diagnose and treat patients. To assess patients’ breathing, therapists ask them to breathe into machines that measures the size of their lungs and the amount of air in them. These readings, along with variables such as the sex, age, height, and weight of the patients, can help therapists diagnose whether or not patients have breathing disorders.

Therapists may also take blood samples from patients to analyze the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in their blood. To do this, they take an arterial blood sample from the patient, place it in a blood gas analyzer, and relay the results to a doctor.

Respiratory therapists use a variety of methods to treat patients. To deliver oxygen to patients who cannot breathe on their own, they can either use oxygen masks or insert small tubes into the patients’ noses. They also use chest physiotherapy and aerosol medications to treat patients.

Therapists sometimes have to connect patients to ventilators that send pressurized air into their lungs. To connect a patient to a ventilator, a tube is inserted down the patient’s windpipe so that oxygen can be sent directly into the lungs.

Other responsibilities include monitoring respiratory equipment, observing and assessing patients’ conditions, and recommending changes in treatment. Respiratory therapists record all relevant information in medical charts, and brief physicians on patients' progress. In addition, they educate patients on how to deal with their respiratory problems at home.

Making sure that respiratory patients understand their illnesses and know how to deal with them on a day-to-day basis is important. It is also necessary to relieve any fears that patients might have. Respiratory therapists may also instruct family and friends of patients on how to deal with emergencies or use breathing equipment at home.

NOC Code: 3214.1

Psychiatrist

Everyone gets worried, sad, and angry sometimes. But when someone’s moods and thoughts start to make daily life difficult, a psychiatrist can often help. Psychiatrists are specially trained doctors who treat people with mental and emotional disorders.

Psychological and physical conditions are sometimes related. Some psychological disorders are associated with changes in brain chemistry, while others may be partly hereditary.

One thing that makes psychiatrists different from counsellors and psychologists is that they are also medical doctors (they must complete medical school before studying psychiatry). When diagnosing and treating patients, psychiatrists consider biological factors as well as life events and stresses. They can order medical tests, prescribe medication, and have patients hospitalized if necessary.

Psychiatrists treat many different kinds of problems. Some of the most common are depression, manic-depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and addictions. Other problems include schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Schizophrenics may suffer from paranoia, delusions, or hallucinations. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder feel compelled to perform time-consuming and disruptive rituals like washing their hands constantly or repeating certain phrases.

Many treatment plans involve both medication and psychotherapy. In psychotherapy, psychiatrists get people to talk about their thoughts and experiences. They help them understand their behaviour, and gain more control over it. Psychiatrists keep detailed records of their patients’ sessions and track their progress over the course of treatment.

Many psychiatrists obtain additional training so that they can specialize in areas such as child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, or psychopharmacology. Forensic psychiatrists work with people with mental illnesses that cause them to get in trouble with the law. Psychopharmacologists are experts in psychiatric medications.

NOC Code: 3111

Plastic Surgeon

Plastic surgery can alter or restore a person’s appearance. It can also help certain parts of the body to function better. We’ve all seen accidents and fires—either in person or on the news—and can only imagine what the victims of such traumatic events must go through afterward. For these people, plastic surgery can mean the difference between remaining scarred for life and having a chance at a new beginning.

Surgery that is carried out for the purpose of correcting an abnormal condition due to the effects of injury, disease, or a birth defect is known as reconstructive surgery. Conditions commonly treated by this type of surgery include cleft palates, tumours, burned or cancerous tissue, and facial fractures.

Plastic surgery performed for purely aesthetic reasons is called cosmetic surgery. These procedures alter tissue that is considered normal, solely for the purpose of improving its appearance. Examples of common cosmetic procedures include facelifts, “nose jobs,” and “tummy tucks.”

Plastic surgeons may specialize in reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, or they may focus on a single area, such as the hand, nose, or stomach. Others deal with a wide variety of patients and procedures.

Surgeons work with virtually every type of tissue in the human body—skin, muscle, fat, and nerve. For example, they can perform skin grafts to replace cancer-damaged tissue on the nose with healthy tissue from the neck or forehead. They also perform liposuction, which involves removing fat from areas of the body such as the neck, chin, abdomen, hips, and thighs.

New technology is always changing the way surgeons perform their jobs. Laser surgery is widely used to correct wrinkles, pigmentation changes, scars, and sun damage. This surgery is bloodless and leads to minimal scarring.

Another fairly recent technological advance is endoscopic surgery, in which a tube fitted with a light and a tiny camera is inserted into the patient through a very small incision. This allows the surgeon to view the procedure through a monitor as the surgery is controlled from outside. This means that no large incision is necessary, and bleeding, bruising, and nerve damage are minimized. Endoscopic procedures are used in tummy tucks, forehead lifts, and certain types of implants.

NOC Code: 3111

Physiotherapist

If you’ve ever sprained your ankle or broken your arm, you’ll know that it takes a while to rehabilitate the limb and ligaments and get them working properly again. Worse, if the limb is not exercised and encouraged to function normally, it might not work as well as it used to. This can affect a person’s physical and mental health.

Physiotherapists help people who have been ill or injured return to a healthy life. They also help people with permanent disabilities achieve the highest possible level of physical function. Their patients, or clients, include people who have sports-related injuries, or who have been through serious car accidents. They also see patients who are suffering from heart disease and other ailments, and those who are coping with diseases such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy.

Physiotherapists see up to 30 patients a day. The first time they meet with a new patient, they learn about his or her medical history, and then perform a physical examination. Once they have determined what the problem is, they design a treatment plan and discuss it with the patient. Then, over the course of several visits, they administer this treatment. The treatment could involve hands-on therapy (such as soft tissue massage and joint mobilization) or the use of hot and cold packs, ultrasound, lasers, and other mechanical tools.

In addition, physiotherapists teach patients specific stretches and exercises that allow them to take a more active role in the therapy process. They monitor their patients’ progress during visits and suggest possible treatment modifications. They also document each step of the treatment process, because quite often, reports must be made to doctors, insurance companies, and employers.

A number of physiotherapists choose to work at least part of the time in non-clinical settings such as universities or the research units of hospitals, where they often concentrate on teaching and research. Others work in the private sector as consultants. They show people how to reduce on-the-job injuries by creating safer, less physically stressful working conditions.

Physiotherapists who own and run their own clinics may spend a large part of their day dealing with administrative and managerial tasks.

NOC Code: 3142

Phlebotomist

If you’ve ever given blood at a blood bank, or had blood taken in a hospital for tests, chances are you’ve witnessed a phlebotomist at work. Phlebotomists are health care professionals who draw blood from patients. They work in blood banks, labs, hospitals, and other medical facilities.

Taking blood from a patient involves several steps. First, the phlebotomist measures the patient’s vital signs, such as his or her blood pressure and pulse. The next step is to briefly interview the patient to find out about any potential problems. Having blood taken can make some people feel weak, or even cause them to pass out. If this has happened in the past, the phlebotomist may have the patient lie down during the procedure.

In addition, some people feel anxious or nervous when giving blood, and the phlebotomist must ensure they feel comfortable. This may be accomplished by explaining the process to the patient, or simply by making small-talk. Once the patient is prepared, the phlebotomist can draw the blood.

The most common method of drawing blood is venipuncture, which involves collecting blood from a vein. The phlebotomist ties a tourniquet around the patient’s arm, locates an accessible vein, and sterilizes the area. The needle is then inserted into the vein, and blood is drawn into a collection bag or tube. The phlebotomist then withdraws the needle and, if necessary, applies a bandage to the patient’s arm. Sometimes phlebotomists collect blood by pricking the patient’s fingertip instead.

The final step is to process the blood sample. Phlebotomists who work in blood banks are responsible for labelling and storing the blood. In cases where the blood has been collected for medical tests, the blood sample is carefully labelled and sent to the lab, where it is tested by medical lab techs.

Sometimes phlebotomists are involved in the testing process itself. For example, they may assist lab techs by setting up tests for them to run on blood samples, or they may prepare slides of samples. Phlebotomists who work in blood banks may be responsible for testing blood samples to screen potential donors.

Most phlebotomists also perform general office duties. They may greet patients, answer the phone, order supplies, and update patients’ medical records.

NOC Code: 3212

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians work alongside pharmacists in dispensaries—places where medications are given out. Pharmacists depend on the help of dedicated pharmacy techs to get their jobs done. Especially on busy days when there are six people waiting in line to get prescriptions filled. Without technicians, pharmacists wouldn’t have half as much time to perform their own duties.

Pharmacy technicians work in two main settings: hospitals and retail outlets. While both retail and hospital pharmacy techs are usually responsible for ordering, packaging, and storing drugs safely, their other tasks vary slightly depending on where they work.

Retail pharmacy technicians have a lot more contact with the public than those who work in hospital settings. These techs deal with customers directly. They receive written prescriptions and mix and fill them according to the pharmacist’s directions. They also act as cashiers when it’s time for the customers to pay their bills.

Hospital pharmacy techs, on the other hand, don’t see the patients directly. Instead, they are sent copies of medication orders. These orders are written by doctors on patient charts, copies of which are sent to the pharmacy on a daily basis from all the nursing stations. After the pharmacist reviews each order for errors or potential problems, the technician’s work begins.

First, the tech writes down relevant information about the patient and the prescribed medications in the patient's profile and updates it on a computer database. The tech then prepares drug doses to be handed out or administered by nursing staff.

Some medications are pre-packaged, so the technician only has to select the right package. In other situations, the tech needs to measure or count the prescribed amount from bulk containers. Technicians also prepare medication to be given through IVs and syringes.

Hospital techs may deliver drugs and pharmaceutical supplies to nursing stations. In addition, they may help process health insurance forms and field telephone questions or requests from other hospital staff.

NOC Code: 3414

Pharmacologist

Like pharmacists, pharmacologists deal with medicinal drugs like pain killers, antibiotics, and other drugs to regulate various diseases. But while pharmacists dispense the drugs to the public, pharmacologists do in-depth scientific research. They study known drugs (and other substances) and their interaction with the human body.

Pharmacologists’ research has made great contributions to medicine and health, from the eradication of diseases like polio to treatments for thinning hair and hyperactivity in children. This has all been achieved through the development of new drugs. And while great progress is being made in the field all the time, new challenges continue to present themselves. New discoveries raise more questions that stimulate more research.

Pharmacology involves many different sciences, including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology. As a result, there are many specializations within the field. Some scientists study the effects of drugs upon the body. Others explore how drugs are absorbed into a body. Still others study poisons and diseases.

At an early stage, all of this research is done in a laboratory setting. However, some pharmacologists, especially those in the pharmaceutical industry, follow the drug-creation process from the lab to the shelf. They conduct further tests on human volunteers, oversee a trial release of the drug to selected areas, and then work with the marketing department to spread word about the drug’s benefits.

Pharmacologists require good organizational skills. A project can go on for years, and every part has to follow carefully laid-out protocols and government regulations to make sure all drugs are safe and effective. It’s important to prioritize which things need to be done first. At every stage of development, pharmacologists have to interact with many other people from various occupations.

Some pharmacologists are also physicians. Others teach at universities, on either a full-time or a part-time basis.

NOC Code: 3111

Pharmacist

Many years ago, pharmacists spent most of their working days mixing and bottling pills, powders, and ointments. Thankfully, things have changed. These days, most medicines arrive pre-prepared and pharmacists and pharmacy technicians count them out and package them. Pharmacists supervise pharmacy technicians and ensure that the medicines are dispensed correctly. They also provide information to patients and customers.

Before filling prescriptions, pharmacists check the patients’ medical histories. This is important because the pharmacists need to make sure that patients are not allergic to the medication and are not taking any drugs that might interfere with their new prescriptions. Next, they tell patients how and when to take the medications. They also warn them of possible side effects and answer any questions they might have.

If a patient encounters any serious problems with medication, a pharmacist should be able to identify the nature of the problem and decide how to deal with it. This requires an in-depth knowledge of chemistry, biology, and medicine. Pharmacists are expected to know all the answers—or at least where to look them up.

Most pharmacists work in retail stores and hospitals. In addition to the duties mentioned above, both retail and hospital pharmacists supervise pharmacy technicians. Many also have to oversee the business side of running the pharmacy. For example, they make sure that the pharmacy is well stocked and that the medications are properly handled and stored. Pharmacists who work in hospital settings may also be involved in clinical research and public education projects.

Some pharmacists work for companies that manufacture and produce medicine—pharmaceutical companies. Their duties usually involve controlling the production of the medicine. They check all the ingredients and the procedures that are used in the manufacturing process.

NOC Code: 3131

Pediatrician

Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in the care of young people, from newborns to adolescents. They are involved in diagnosing and treating injuries, infections, and diseases for young patients, as well as counselling them through difficult times and situations, such as puberty and family problems.

Like other physicians, a pediatrician’s first responsibility is to diagnose illnesses. He or she does this by combining physical exams with the information in patients’ medical histories, and by ordering special tests (for example, x-rays and blood tests). Because they deal with children and teenagers, pediatricians commonly encounter diseases and problems such as asthma, lead poisoning, allergies, acne, and drug abuse.

Next, the pediatrician recommends treatment programs. These programs can involve medication, surgery, rehabilitation, or advice about exercise and nutrition.

During the treatment process, pediatricians often communicate with social workers, family members, and other health care professionals (such as nurses and specialists) in order to complete the diagnosis and decide upon treatment.

For example, a pediatrician may notice several signs in a young patient that suggest Attention Deficit Disorder. The patient might be irritable and unable to concentrate, and his or her parents might be concerned about school performance. In this situation, the pediatrician may decide to send the patient to a psychiatrist for treatment.

The role of pediatricians is becoming increasingly important as psychological and social conditions worsen for many children and adolescents. These doctors may be the first and best chance for young people faced with family violence, homelessness, and substance abuse.

Many pediatricians work within the community as children’s advocates, educating the public about issues such as car safety for infants or the benefits of school breakfast programs.

NOC Code: 3111

Pathologist

Pathologists are medical doctors who work behind-the-scenes in laboratories, investigating diseases. Using various laboratory techniques, they examine tissue, blood, and body fluid samples from patients to diagnose diseases. They pass this information on to patients’ attending physicians, who are then able to treat their patients accordingly.

For instance, imagine a patient has come to a physician with symptoms suggesting a blood disorder. The physician will have a blood sample taken, and send the sample to a laboratory to be examined by a pathologist.

Using a microscope to examine the specimen, the pathologist will look for signs of disease. Other diagnostic tests may be performed on the sample as well. After interpreting the results of the examination and tests, the pathologist will issue a report and provide the diagnosis to the physician, who can then treat the patient, if necessary.

Besides diagnosing diseases, pathologists also provide physicians with information about the progress and consequences of patients’ diseases. This information is vital to the attending physicians, who use it to determine how best to treat their patients. In many cases the physicians consult with the pathologist when making treatment decisions.

While pathologists are responsible for interpreting laboratory tests and making diagnoses, they do not always perform the actual testing and examination work themselves. Instead, some lab tests carried out by medical lab techs or by machines. However, pathologists are responsible for supervising the techs, ensuring the tests are accurate, and helping techs evaluate the test results.

Although many pathologists are generalists, others specialize in certain areas. For instance, anatomical pathologists concentrate on examining tissues to diagnose disease. Hematopathologists diagnose diseases involving blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, while neuropathologists concentrate on diagnosing brain, nerve, and muscle diseases.

Perhaps the best-known subspecialty is forensic pathology. These pathologists perform autopsies on patients who have died unexpectedly, in order to determine the cause of death. However, only a small percentage of pathologists work in the area of forensic pathology.

NOC Code: 3111

Paramedic

Car accidents, heart attacks, poisonings, fires, unscheduled childbirths, cave-ins, and natural disasters—when people experience such traumas, they need help fast! This is where paramedics come in. It’s their job to rush to the scene of emergencies, provide immediate medical care, and get the patient to the hospital.

In many provinces, paramedics are called emergency medical technicians (EMTs). In these areas, only the most highly trained people within the profession are given the title “paramedic.”

Time is of the essence in this job. Fast and effective treatment saves lives and lessens the seriousness of many people’s injuries. When paramedics arrive at the scene, their first job is to figure out what kind of injury the patient has and how serious it is. At the same time, they must try to determine if the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes.

Working quickly, they give the patient whatever care and treatment they can, until they reach the hospital. This could mean anything from assisting the patient’s breathing to bandaging wounds. In some cases, they talk to doctors over the radio, who tell them what to do. Once they get to the hospital, paramedics brief emergency staff on the patient’s situation and medical history, and help with pre-admittance treatment.

The kind of patient care and treatment a paramedic provides depends on his or her level of training. EMTs with only basic training—often called emergency medical attendants or emergency medical responders—can administer first aid and perform basic procedures. These basic procedures may include opening airways, giving oxygen, immobilizing fractures, and bandaging wounds.

Intermediate level paramedics perform more advanced procedures. They can take blood and use defibrillators to give life-saving shocks to a stopped heart. In addition to doing all of the above, the most highly trained paramedics do even more complicated medical procedures.

After gaining some experience, a paramedic can become a supervisor, operations manager, administrative director, or executive director of emergency services. Some become paramedic instructors, firefighters, dispatchers, or police officers, while others move into sales or marketing of emergency medical equipment. Finally, some paramedics decide to return to school and become registered nurses, physicians, or other health care workers.

NOC Code: 3234

Orthopedic Surgeon

Our bones and joints can be fragile, and sometimes problems arise that require treatment. An ankle might be fractured or broken, a shoulder or knee might be dislocated, or the spine may not be properly aligned. Orthopedic surgeons, or orthopedists, are trained to treat these types of problems. These specialized physicians diagnose and treat injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including problems affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.

These surgeons work with patients with a wide variety of problems, including fractured bones, dislocated joints, ruptured discs, compressed spinal cords, and torn ligaments and tendons. These problems may be caused by aging or injury, or they may be present at birth. Some patients suffer from diseases such as arthritis, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy.

Patients are generally referred to orthopedic surgeons by their family practitioners. When a new patient comes in, the surgeon will first assess the patient’s condition, and then recommend a course of treatment. In many cases this treatment will involve surgery. However, orthopedic surgeons also treat patients using non-surgical methods, such as through the use of medications, exercise therapy, or casts and splints.

If surgery is necessary, the surgeon will explain the procedure to the patient, and answer any questions he or she might have. Common surgical procedures include carpal tunnel release, knee and hip replacement, spinal fusion, rotator cuff repair, and fracture repair. The work performed by orthopedic surgeons may involve using screws, wires, and pins to set bones into proper alignment, or replacing joints with prosthetic devices.

One of the most common procedures is arthroscopic surgery, which is usually performed on the knee or shoulder. The surgeon makes a small incision in the patient’s skin, and inserts a compact instrument containing a lens and lighting system. By watching a television attached to this device, the surgeon can then see inside the joint. Sometimes arthroscopic surgery is used to assess the damage to the joint, in preparation for standard surgery. In other cases surgeons can correct the problem during the arthroscopic procedure, through the use of instruments designed to fit through small incisions.

Although many orthopedic surgeons work as generalists, others specialize in a particular area of orthopedics. For instance, many surgeons focus on working with a specific part of the musculoskeletal system, such as the spine, hand, or foot and ankle. Other areas of subspecialty include sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, and pediatric orthopedics.

NOC Code: 3111

Orthodontist

Malocclusion. English please? Okay, it means bad bite and it’s what orthodontists specialize in fixing. Crooked teeth, crowded teeth, protruding teeth, underbites, overbites—all of these problems are considered bad bite. Sometimes they’re inherited, and sometimes they’re caused by childhood illnesses or habits. But thanks to orthodontists, we don’t have to live with them.

Orthodontists are specialist dentists who correct irregularities in the way a person’s teeth are positioned. Using braces, retainers, and other devices, they force the teeth to move to a better position.

They usually start working on people when they are in their teens. The reason for this is that they want to work on a person’s permanent teeth, and these don’t usually arrive until the teen years. Sometimes, though, orthodontists will work on young children and try to stretch the jaw to make room for more teeth. Increasingly, they also work on adults.

Patients are usually referred to an orthodontist by a regular dentist. The first thing the orthodontist does for a new patient is a complete examination of the mouth so that a diagnosis can be made. To help diagnose problems, orthodontists may use x-rays, photographs, and plaster impressions of the teeth.

After a diagnosis has been made, the orthodontist decides whether he or she will use braces or retainers to correct the patient’s bite. If surgery is required, the patient will have to be referred to a surgical specialist.

NOC Code: 3113

Optometrist

Optometrists examine people’s eyes to diagnose vision problems, eye diseases, and other conditions. Using various instruments and their trained eyes, optometrists test for depth and colour perception, as well as the patient’s ability to focus and coordinate the eyes.

When necessary, optometrists prescribe corrective lenses and rehabilitative treatment. For example, an optometrist may diagnose someone with myopia, which means the person sees close objects clearly but can’t see distant objects with the same clarity. The optometrist will then prescribe lenses that adjust the way light rays enter the eye so the patient can see near and far objects with equal clarity.

Optometrists may also provide vision therapy for those with vision problems or those who have recently had eye surgery. If, while examining a patient, they find evidence of disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, they refer the patient to another health care practitioner.

In addition, optometrists in most provinces and territories can remove foreign bodies, such as splinters, from the eye, and apply eye drops and ointments. Optometrists must follow any regulations set by their province or territory when performing these types of tasks.

Most optometrists work in general practice, but some specialize in eye care for children, the elderly, or partially sighted people. Others may develop ways to reduce on-the-job eyestrain for workers, specialize in sports vision, teach, research, or consult.

Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or opticians. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in all aspects of eye care. In addition to examining eyes and prescribing eyewear, ophthalmologists can perform eye surgery as well as diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries. Opticians fit eyewear according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists.

NOC Code: 3121

Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in protecting our vision. They diagnose and treat problems affecting the eye, including cataracts, glaucoma, eye trauma, retinal detachments, dry eye, and eye inflammation. Patients are usually referred to ophthalmologists by family physicians and optometrists.

When a new patient come in, the ophthalmologist first needs to diagnose the problem. They usually start by asking about the medical history of the patient, as this can aid in their diagnosis. For example, people who have diabetes are at increased risk to suffer eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Ophthalmologists may also ask the patient to describe any vision problems they are experiencing.

Next, they will conduct a thorough examination of the eye itself. They use special instruments to examine and measure the eye, and may perform tests to assess the vision of the patient. They may also order special photographs be taken of the eye so they can examine it in more detail.

Once the problem has been diagnosed, ophthalmologists will recommend a course of treatment for the patient. In some cases, the treatment may be as simple as prescribing medication such as pills or eye drops. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Ophthalmologists are trained to perform many different surgical procedures, depending on the problem. For instance, one of the most common procedures is cataract removal. Surgery on the eye requires the use of specialized instruments, including magnification tools, and ophthalmologists need excellent control and hand-eye coordination. In many cases, diseases and disorders are treated through laser surgery.

In addition to diagnosing and treating existing eye problems, ophthalmologists may also perform routine eye exams. For instance, they may perform annual eye exams for patients who are at higher risk of developing eye problems, such as those who have diabetes or AIDS. Ophthalmologists are also qualified to prescribe glasses and contact lenses when necessary.

Some ophthalmologists specialize in working with certain problems affecting the eye, such as the treatment of glaucoma, or diseases affecting the cornea. Other ophthalmologists focus on performing laser eye surgery to correct poor vision.

NOC Code: 3111

Oncologist

As a leading cause of death around the world, cancer is one of medical science’s greatest challenges. Most people will be affected by cancer at some point in their life, either by being diagnosed with it themselves, or by knowing someone else who is. When cancer is discovered, the medical experts we depend on are oncologists.

Oncologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer. When another doctor, such as a family practitioner, finds evidence that a patient has or may have cancer, the doctor refers the patient to an oncologist for further tests and treatment.

There are many different ways oncologists can test for cancer, including physical exams, x-rays and other types of medical imaging, and biopsies. A biopsy is performed when a tumour is found and the oncologist wants to know whether or not it is cancerous. The patient is anesthetised and a piece of the tumour is cut off and removed from the body and then taken to a medical lab to be tested.

If the tests prove positive, the oncologist will recommend a course of treatment for the patient. The type of treatment the oncologist suggests or performs will depend on many factors, including the location of the cancer within the patient.

Although there is no cure for cancer, there are a number of different treatments at the disposal of oncologists. Treatment options include prescribing medicines that are designed to kill cancer cells, surgically removing cancerous tissue, and using radiation therapy to destroy cancerous cells.

Within the broader field of oncology, there are many areas of sub-specialization. The exact type of work that oncologists do depends on their subspecialty.

The three most common specialists in this field are medical oncologists, who treat cancer with medicine (chemotherapy), radiation oncologists, who employ radiation therapy, and surgical oncologists, who use surgical methods, such as the physical removal of tumours.

Other specialists include gynecologic oncologists, who treat female patients for cancers of the reproductive organs, and pediatric oncologists, who specialize in treating children.

NOC Code: 3111

Obstetrician-Gynecologist

Historically, many women and children died in childbirth. However, thanks in large part to the watchful eyes of obstetricians and gynecologists, women today are giving birth to healthier babies than ever before.

Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are doctors who have completed a post-graduate residency in obstetrics and gynecology.

Obstetricians specialize in the process of birth. These doctors provide medical care and treatment for women both during and after pregnancy. They also deliver babies.

Gynecology is the area of medicine that deals with the reproductive systems of women. In addition to monitoring women’s overall health, gynecologists do everything from administering pap smears to performing hysterectomies.

While most obstetricians practice some gynecology, not all gynecologists are obstetricians. That is, not all gynecologists deliver babies.

With further training—usually 2 to 3 years—OB/GYNs can specialize further, often in areas such as infertility or high risk pregnancy.

NOC Code: 3111