Strong job outlook

Orthopedic technologists

Overview

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.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

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

  • Clean and dress wounds

  • Remove casts, sutures, staples and pins

  • Instruct patients and their families and other health care professionals with respect to orthopedic matters.

Job titles

  • activationist - health support services
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Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2025 edition
The labour market information for this career is aggregate data for Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Annual salary

Low

$30,782

Median

$42,752

High

$49,712

Usual Hours Worked Weekly: 32.8

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

Strong job outlook

British Columbia

1,331

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • 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.

  • Certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology may be required by employers.

Additional information

  • Ophthalmic assistants may progress to ophthalmic technician positions with training and experience.

Certification requirements

Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Orthopedic technologists in B.C.

  • Registration with the Canadian Society of Orthopedic Technologists

Registration with the Canadian Society of Orthopedic Technologists

To work as an orthopedic technologist in B.C., you may need to be registered with the Canadian Society of Orthopedic Technologists. Eligibility is achieved by being employed as an orthopedic technician while training under a registered technologist and sponsorship by an orthopedic surgeon at your place of employment.

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Post-secondary programs in B.C.

No programs available in B.C.

There are currently no programs offered at public post-secondary institutions in BC that will qualify you for this career. Please see the Canadian Society of Orthopaedic Technologists website for other options.

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