Ophthalmic technicians and technologists

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Hearing instrument practitioners

• Examine adult clients to assess hearing loss using diagnostic evaluation and electro acoustic testing

• Recommend and dispense or sell appropriate type of hearing instrument

• Take earmold impressions for use in the manufacture of hearing devices

• Fit, adjust and make minor modifications to hearing instruments

• Educate clients in appropriate use, care and maintenance of hearing instruments

• Communicate with audiologist or other health care professionals regarding patients' condition

• Perform follow-up examinations and readjustments.

• Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants

• Assist speech-language pathologists and audiologists during assessment of patients

• Carry out treatment programs, document results and develop materials for use with patients, under the supervision of speech-language pathologists or audiologists

• Document patient rehabilitation progress

• Check and maintain therapeutic equipment and materials.

• Ophthalmic medical technologists and technicians

• Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history

• Conduct specialized testing such as refractometry, ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography or ocular motility testing to aid ophthalmologists in assessing patients' vision

• Instruct patient on diagnostic test and record, interpret and troubleshoot results

• Assist ophthalmologists in performing ophthalmic procedures and surgeries

• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications as directed by ophthalmologists

• Prepare specimens for culture and staining

• Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment

• May instruct and supervise other ophthalmic staff and perform various administrative duties

• May participate in research activities.

• Physical rehabilitation therapists

• Collect and analyse information from clients' file upon referral from the physiotherapist or physician.

• Develop, implement and monitor treatment plans of clients in collaboration with the physiotherapist or physician.

• Use a variety of therapeutic modalities such as manual techniques (e.g. massage), exercises, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and thermotherapy (ice or heat) to achieve treatment objectives.

• Advise clients on postures, lifestyle and exercises to help them improve their physical condition.

• Physiotherapy assistants and occupational therapy assistants

• Under the direction of physiotherapists and/or occupational therapists, carry out treatment programs such as thermotherapy, traction, hydrotherapy and electrotherapeutic techniques to rehabilitate patients with various injuries or disabilities to maximize their ability to independently manage daily activities.

• Hearing instrument practitioners require completion of a two or three-year college diploma in a hearing instrument specialist program, and a period of supervised training.

• Licensure with a regulatory body is required for hearing instrument practitioners in all provinces except in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Ontario. Ontario requires membership with the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario (AHIP). Hearing instrument practitioners can prescribe and dispense hearing instruments except in Ontario where dispensing is dependent on a prescription from a physician or audiologist.

• Communicative disorders assistants and speech-language pathology assistants require completion of a three- to four-year college program.

• Ophthalmic medical technicians may progress to ophthalmic medical technologists' positions with training, experience and certification.

• Certified Ophthalmic Technician and Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist may have additional specialty certification such as Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB) or Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS).

• In most provinces occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and physiotherapy assistants (PTA) receive training through a single OTA/PTA program in community colleges.