33109

Other assisting occupations in support of health services

TEER 3 — College diploma, shorter apprenticeship or 6+ months training

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: Yes
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Health

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Definition

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.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Audiometric technicians
Under the supervision of audiologists, administer tests such as pure tone hearing screening, impedance tests and noise level measurements using equipment such as audiometers and sound level meters to determine hearing thresholds of patients
Instruct patients on test procedures and record results
Monitor, check and calibrate auditory equipment
May take earmold impressions and fit and adjust hearing instruments.
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.
Rehabilitation aids
Prepare and maintain equipment and supplies
Assist in activities for the rehabilitation of patients as directed by health care professionals
May perform routine office functions.
Ophthalmic assistants
Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history
Operate ophthalmic testing and measuring instruments to aid ophthalmologists in assessing patients' vision
Instruct patient on diagnostic test and record results
Assist ophthalmologists in minor office surgery
Administer eye drops, ointments and medications as directed by ophthalmologists
Clean and maintain ophthalmic instruments and equipment
Perform various administrative duties.
Optical/ophthalmic laboratory technicians and assistants
Operate laboratory equipment to grind, cut, polish and edge lenses for eyeglasses according to prescriptions received and fit lenses into frames
Make minor repairs for customers such as replacing frame screws or straightening frames
Maintain and repair optical laboratory equipment or machinery.
Sterile processing technicians
Operate and maintain sterilization equipment such as instrument washers, sonic sinks, cart washers and steam autoclaves to clean and disinfect trays, carts, linens, supplies, instrumentation and equipment for re-use according to standardized safety practices
Reassemble equipment and assemble packs of sterile supplies and instruments for delivery to hospital departments.
Blood donor clinic assistants
Set up and dismantle equipment
Prepare and maintain cleanliness of collection areas
Maintain supplies
Monitor donors throughout procedure and assist with post-donation care and donor reaction care as assigned under the supervision of a registered nurse
Record information on donors
Label and process donated blood.
Morgue attendants
Assist pathologists at autopsies by laying out surgical instruments
Prepare solutions for preservation of specimens
Transfer bodies from morgue to examining table
Remove organs and tissue specimens, as instructed by attending pathologist, and placing them in preservative solutions
Clean and sew up bodies for release to funeral home.

Example job titles

•audiometric assistant
•audiometric technician
•autopsy assistant
•blood donor clinic assistant
•cast room technician
•chiropractic assistant
•clinical laboratory helper
•medical device reprocessing technician

Overview

NOC 33109, titled "Other assisting occupations in support of health services" under the ESDC NOC 2021 classification, represents a vital category of healthcare support roles in Canada. Classified under TEER 3, this unit group encompasses various technical and clinical support roles, including ophthalmic assistants, sterile processing technicians, optical laboratory technicians, and blood donor clinic assistants. These professionals perform technical duties and provide essential support to healthcare practitioners, helping ensure patient safety, sterilization of medical equipment, and efficient clinical operations.

Employment requirements for NOC 33109 vary depending on the specific specialization. Typically, positions require the completion of secondary school, combined with several months of on-the-job training or a specific college program or certificate, such as in sterile processing or ophthalmic assistance. Because this is a TEER 3 occupation, individuals working in these roles may be eligible for Canadian economic immigration programs, including the Express Entry system under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and targeted healthcare category-based selection draws.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal immigration advice. For official program guidelines and requirements, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated Canadian immigration professional.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.