The healthcare sector in Ontario is experiencing rapid growth, driven by an ageing population, technological advancements, and an increasing focus on preventive care. As a result, there is a rising demand for skilled professionals across various healthcare occupations. These in-demand healthcare occupations in Ontario are critical to maintaining and improving the health and well-being of Ontario’s residents. Hence, offering both job stability and opportunities for career growth. In this overview, we will explore some of the most sought-after healthcare occupations in Ontario, highlighting the essential roles they play in the healthcare system.
1. Managers in health care (NOC 30010)
Average Salary: $70,037 per year
Managers in healthcare play a crucial role in ensuring that healthcare facilities, like hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, run smoothly. Their responsibilities include overseeing the daily operations, managing staff, and ensuring that patients receive high-quality care. They act as a bridge between the administrative side of healthcare and the medical staff, making sure that the needs of both are met.
One of the key tasks of healthcare managers is to manage the workforce. This involves hiring qualified staff, providing training, and ensuring that everyone is working efficiently. They also handle scheduling to make sure that there are enough staff members on duty at all times to meet patient needs. By keeping the team well-organized and motivated, managers help create a positive working environment, which ultimately leads to better patient care.
2. Occupational therapists (NOC 31203)
Average Salary: $88,016 per year
Occupational therapists (OTs) are allied health professions Ontario that help people live their lives to the fullest. They especially help those who are dealing with physical, mental, or developmental challenges.
Primarily, occupational therapists assess a person’s abilities and challenges. For example, if someone has had a stroke and is having trouble with daily tasks like dressing or cooking, an OT will evaluate what specific difficulties the person is facing. They then develop a personalised plan to help the individual regain or improve these skills.
OTs often use a variety of techniques and tools to support their clients. This might include exercises to strengthen certain muscles or teaching new ways to perform tasks. They may also recommend assistive devices like special utensils for eating or equipment to make the home safer.
3. Physiotherapists (NOC 31202)
Average Salary: $65,848 per year
Another one of the in-demand healthcare occupations in Ontario is physiotherapy. Physiotherapists are also known as physical therapists. They play a crucial role in helping people recover from injuries, manage pain, and improve their physical abilities. Their main goal is to help individuals regain movement and function. Whether they are recovering from surgery, dealing with a chronic condition, or simply trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
These professionals use a variety of techniques to help their patients. This can include exercises to improve strength and balance, manual therapy like massage or joint manipulation to reduce pain, and teaching proper movement techniques to prevent future injuries.
4. Psychologists (NOC 31200)
Average Salary: $112,713 per year
Psychologists play a vital role in helping people understand and manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Their primary focus is on mental health and well-being, and they work with individuals, families, and groups. They address a wide range of psychological issues, from stress and anxiety to more serious mental health conditions like depression or trauma.
5. Nurse practitioners (NOC 31302)
Average Salary: $132,629 per year
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are one of the in-demand nursing jobs in demand Ontario. They are advanced practice nurses who have completed a higher level of education. This is typically a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing, in addition to their registered nursing education.
This advanced training allows NPs to perform many tasks that are typically done by doctors, such as diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, and managing patients’ overall care. NPs can work independently or alongside doctors.
They often serve as primary care providers, especially in areas with limited access to healthcare. NPs focus on a broad range of healthcare services, including preventive care, health education, and management of chronic conditions.
6. Massage therapists (NOC 32201)
Average Salary: $29.09 an hour
This is one of the important careers in healthcare Ontario. Massage therapists play an important role in helping people feel better by using their hands to relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. Hence, they are among the in-demand healthcare occupations in Ontario. Their main focus is on the body’s muscles and soft tissues. They use different techniques to help ease pain, improve circulation, and support overall well-being.
Typically, these professionals talk with their clients to understand what areas of the body are causing discomfort or stress. They also ask what the client hopes to achieve from the massage. For example, if someone has a sore back from sitting at a desk all day, the therapist might focus on that area to help relieve the pain.
7. Medical sonographers (NOC 32122)
Average Salary: $43.16 an hour
You may know them as ultrasound technicians. Medical sonographers diagnose and monitor medical conditions using imaging technology. They operate special equipment that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. These images are essential for doctors to see what’s going on inside a patient’s body without needing surgery or other invasive procedures.
Medical sonographers perform ultrasounds on patients to capture images of organs, tissues, or blood flow. After the ultrasound, sonographers analyze the images and provide a preliminary report to the doctor. The doctor then makes a diagnosis or decides on the next steps in treatment.
8. Medical radiation technologists (NOC 32121)
Average Salary: $30.94 an hour
Medical radiation technologists are also known as radiologic technologists or radiographers. They are similar to medical sonographers in that they also use imaging to find out what’s going on in a patient’s body.
However, they use specialised equipment, like X-ray machines, CT scanners, and MRI machines, to capture detailed images of the inside of the body. They may adjust the equipment settings or take multiple images from different angles. This is to provide the most useful information for the doctor’s diagnosis. After the images are taken, the technologist reviews them for quality before sending them to the doctor for further analysis.
9. Veterinarians (NOC 31103)
Average Salary: $101,039 per year
Veterinary medicine is one of the high paying healthcare jobs in Canada. It is the sector of healthcare that focuses solely on animals. Veterinarians play a crucial role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and injuries in animals. They care for a wide range of animals, from pets like dogs and cats to farm animals like cows and pigs, and even exotic animals like birds and reptiles. Therefore, they are one of the in-demand healthcare occupations in Ontario.
They can physical exams or conduct tests such as blood work or X-rays on animals. In addition to treating illnesses, veterinarians play an important role in preventive care. They offer vaccinations to protect animals from diseases. They also provide advice on nutrition and grooming and perform routine check-ups to catch any health problems early.
10. Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
Average Salary: $53.70 an hour
One of the key responsibilities of pharmacists is to fill prescriptions. When a doctor prescribes medication, the pharmacist reviews the prescription to make sure it’s appropriate for the patient’s condition and that there are no potential interactions with other medications the patient is taking.
In addition to dispensing medications, pharmacists play a role in preventive health. They may offer services like flu shots, health screenings, and advice on managing chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Pharmacists work in pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics.
11. Nutritionists and dietitians (NOC 31121)
Average Salary: $25.41 – $33.16 an hour
These are healthcare job opportunities Ontario for people who are interested in healthy eating. They are experts in food and nutrition. Using their knowledge, they guide individuals on what to eat to maintain good health, manage medical conditions, or achieve specific health goals.
Nutritionists and dietitians assess people’s dietary needs. This involves looking at factors like age, weight, medical history, and lifestyle. For instance, if someone has diabetes, a dietitian would analyse their current eating habits and develop a meal plan that helps manage blood sugar levels. This makes them one of the in-demand healthcare occupations in Ontario.
They also educate people about nutrition and healthy eating habits. They provide information on the benefits of different foods, how to read food labels, and how to plan balanced meals. This education is crucial for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their diet. It also helps them understand the impact of food on their health.
12. Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
Average salary for registered nurses: $72,936 per year
Average salary for registered psychiatric nurses: $79,675
Registered nurses (RNs) have completed a nursing program, usually at the associate or bachelor’s degree level. They must have also passed a licensing exam to practice nursing. RNs are responsible for providing direct patient care, which includes tasks like administering medications, monitoring patients’ vital signs, assisting with medical procedures, and educating patients about their health.
On the other hand, registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) specialize in mental health care. Like RNs, they have completed a nursing program and passed a licensing exam. However, their training is focused specifically on psychiatric and mental health care.
RPNs work with patients who have mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia. They provide care and support, administer medications, and work with patients to develop coping strategies. RPNs often collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals to ensure comprehensive care.
Conclusion
Occupations such as nurse practitioners, medical sonographers, pharmacists, and physiotherapists are just a few examples of the in-demand healthcare occupations in Ontario. These roles are essential in delivering quality care and meeting the challenges of an ageing and diverse population. As healthcare continues to be a cornerstone of Ontario’s economy and public well-being, these in-demand occupations not only offer rewarding career paths but also play a vital role in ensuring that the province’s healthcare system remains robust and responsive to the needs of its people.
