The care of our aging population calls for a diverse set of skills and professions. Click any of the below careers for more information.
Audiology – Language Disorders
The elderly experience language difficulties that stem from poor hearing. An audiologist work with speech therapists, neuropsychologists and psychiatrists. With the aging Canadian population, the need for audiologist is increasing. Audiologists work in private clinics, rehabilitation centers and long term care centres.
Role: reduce effects of disability on patient’s social, professional or home life.
Duties: assess patient’s hearing, identify middle ear problems, propose intervention plan, prescribe hearing aids. Personally, the coolest part of this job is that an audiologist specifically recognizes the patient’s needs and life situation to provide him the best sounds the world offers.
Education: audiologists are part of the Quebec provincial health system. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in audiology or speech therapy is required to practice.
Profile: active listener, see the big picture
Salary: $72,000. Audiologists in Alberta earn 50% more than those in Quebec! Hmm.
Social Worker
The aging of Canadian population promises ample job opportunities in the private sector, particular in gerontology and home care services. Social workers provide the elderly administrative, emotional and community based solutions to common problems they encounter.
Duties: study the nature and scope of the patient’s problems in individual, family and community environments, develop a holistic intervention plan, assess sensory motor skills, socio-affective and cognitive capacities, navigate through health and social services support networks
Education: minimum of bachelor’s degree in social work
Profile: understand interpersonal dynamics and group processes, especially for the elderly in long term care facilities surrounded by new neighbours. deep respect for others and their values. good judgement
Dietitian
Healthy eating has become synonymous with good health, well-being and increased life expectancy. Dietitians are active throughout the food supply chain and provide nutrition prevention, training and education. For elderly with many restrictions such as liquid-free, soft food and low sugar consumption.
Duties: In-office consultation for individuals and their families. Discuss topics such as nutritional equilibrium, obesity, eating disorders, anemia and diabetes. Research patient’s eating habits and prepare a tailored meal plan.
Education: a bachelor’s degree from university recognized by the Order of Dietitians of Canada
Profile: empathy, tact and persuasion!
Medical Specialists
Specialists treat patients in hospitals, private clinics and various health facilities. They supervise medical students and residents. They update their knowledge to master the new application of technologies and treatments, and follow the latest research perspective. The field of gerontology experience a shortage of specialists.
Duties: examine patients, recommend tests, prescribe treatment, attend conferences, give talks
Education: Doctor of medicine degree, internships, residency in gerontology.
Profile: scientific curiosity promoting the investigation and seeking out the cause of disease or anomaly, respect and patience to support and encourage patients.
Salary: $400,000 in 2012
Medical Researcher
Medical researchers improve diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure for patients through basic research and clinical research. They work in research institutes, universities or companies. Basic researchers study physiology, biology, anatomy, histology and biochemistry. Clinical researchers study diseases, techniques and treatments to improve efficacy, for example.
Duties: study and analyze previous research on topic, manage experimental themes and protocols, conduct trials, analyze, evaluate and publish results
Education: minimum bachelor’s degree
Profile: innovative, curious, thorough
Laboratory Technician
The increasing elderly population has a direct impact on the activity level of labs and medical imaging requirements. Although the needs in general have increased, the use of automated diagnostic and treatment procedures could slow down job creation. There are many careers within the laboratory but medical radiation and technologists is discussed here.
Duties: Medical radiation technologists produce x-ray images, record and analyze data, quality control on equipment, follow radiation protection rules. Lab technologists draw blood or tissue samples, study sample and record results
Education: MRT require medical radiation technology diploma, university degree, national certification exam. LT: college diploma
Profile: analytical and problem solving skills, adaptable to changing technology, synthesize information well, good hygiene and organization
Salary: $40,000-80,000
Nurse
Again, the growing elderly population and increase in home care explains the shortage of nurses in Canada. Nurse clinicians coordinate services and care group of patients, and develop clinical tools working with other professionals. Nurse practitioners prescribe medication, examination and treatments.
Duties: assess condition of patients, relieve pain, prevent infection, administer medication, support and comfort patients and family
Education: nursing college or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Nursing order’s exam.
Profile: team worker, empathetic, dedicated, handles stress and deal with the unexpected well, and understand health care culture.
Projects Manager in the Healthcare Sector
Healthcare project managers work for companies, laboratories, hospitals, clinics, and independent or government organizations. They ensure that projects such as new drug administration, deploying new protocols, setting up studies run smoothly. They are in charge of observing deadlines and ensuring effective involvement of stakeholders while ensuring the project stays on budget and note any potential drifts.
Duties: establish detailed project plan that maps out risks, required investments and strategies to be implemented. With so many long term care centres being built today, project managers are indispensable in creating a safe, effective and efficient facility. Stay current with legislative, scientific and technological changes.
Education: advanced degree in health science, health information, social science or related field, knowledge of Canadian health care system, current legislation, players and legal constraints
Profile: time management, teamwork, self-starting, ability to step back, adaptability, knowledge of field’s jargon, charisma.