Overview
Orthopedic technologists
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.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$35,455
$49,137
$58,397
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
Strong job outlook
British Columbia
1,109expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Audiometric technicians usually require a specialization in industrial audiometry testing.
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.
Additional information
Ophthalmic assistants may progress to ophthalmic technician positions with training and experience.
Certified Ophthalmic Assistants may also have additional specialty certification such as Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB) or Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS).
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.
Visit websitePost-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.