226 Other Health Professionals

Dentists diagnose, treat and prevent diseases, injuries and abnormalities of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues by applying the principles and procedures of modern dentistry. They use a broad range of specialized diagnostic, surgical and other techniques to promote and restore oral health. Tasks include - (a) diagnosing diseases, injuries, irregularities and malformations of teeth and associated structures in the mouth and jaw using a range of methods such as radiographs, salivary tests and medical histories; (b) providing preventative oral health care such as periodontal treatments, fluoride applications and oral health promotion; (c) administering anaesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures; (d) prescribing medication for relief of ongoing pain after procedures (e) providing restorative oral care such as implants, complex crown and bridge restorations and orthodontics, and repairing damaged and decayed teeth; (f) providing surgical treatments such as extraction of teeth and biopsy of tissue, and performing orthodontic treatment; (g) measuring and taking impressions of patients’ jaws and teeth in order to determine the shape and size of dental prostheses; (h) designing, making, and fitting prosthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, bridges and dentures, or writing fabrication instructions or prescriptions for dental prosthetic technicians; (i) restoring oral function with removable and fixed oral prostheses; (j) assisting in diagnosing general diseases having oral manifestations such as diabetes; (k) educating patients and families on dental hygiene, nutrition and other measures to take care of oral health; (l) supervising dental hygienists, dental assistants and other staff. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Dental practitioner - Dental surgeon - Dentist - Endodontist - Oral and maxillofacial surgeon - Oral pathologist - Orthodontist - Paedodontist - Periodontist - Prosthodontist - Stomatologist Note Occupations included in this category normally require completion of university-level training in theoretical and practical dentistry or a related field. Although in some countries “stomatology” and “dental, oral and maxillofacial surgery” may be considered as medical specializations, occupations in these fields should always be classified here.

Pharmacists store, preserve, compound and dispense medicinal products and counsel on the proper use and adverse effects of drugs and medicines following prescriptions issued by medical doctors and other health professionals. They contribute to researching, testing, preparing, prescribing and monitoring medicinal therapies for optimizing human health. Tasks include - (a) receiving prescriptions for medicinal products from medical doctors and other health professionals, checking patients’ medicine histories, and ensuring proper dosage and methods of administration and drug compatibility before dispensing; (b) preparing or supervising the preparation and labelling of liquid medicines, ointments, powders, tablets and other medications to fill prescriptions; (c) providing information and advice to prescribers and clients regarding drug interactions, incompatibility and contraindications, side effects, dosage and proper medication storage; (d) collaborating with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the medicine therapy of individual patients, and the effectiveness of particular drugs or therapies; (e) maintaining prescription files and recording the issue of narcotics, poisons and habit-forming drugs in accordance with legal and professional requirements; (f) storing and preserving vaccines, serums and other drugs subject to deterioration; (g) advising clients on and supplying non-prescription medicines and diagnostic and therapeutic aids for common conditions; (h) supervising and coordinating the work of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy interns and pharmacy sales assistants; (i) conducting research to develop and improve pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and related chemical products; (j) conferring with chemists, engineering professionals and other professionals about manufacturing techniques and ingredients; (k) testing and analysing drugs to determine their identity, purity and strength in relation to specified standards; (l) evaluating labels, packaging and advertising of drug products; (m) developing information and risks of particular drugs. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Dispensing chemist - Hospital pharmacist - Industrial pharmacist - Retail pharmacist Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Pharmacologist - 2131 - Pharmaceutical technician - 3213.

Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals assess, plan and implement programmes to recognize, monitor and control environmental factors that can potentially affect human health, to ensure safe and healthy working conditions and to prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, radiological and biological agents or ergonomic factors. Tasks include - (a) developing, implementing and reviewing programmes and policies to minimize potential environmental and occupational risks to health and safety; (b) preparing and implementing plans and strategies for the safe, economic and suitable disposal of commercial, industrial, medical and household wastes; (c) implementing prevention programmes and strategies for communicable diseases, food safety, wastewater treatment and disposal systems, recreation and domestic water quality, contaminated and hazardous substances; (d) identifying, reporting and documenting hazards, and assessing and controlling risks in the environment and workplace and advising on compliance with relevant law and regulations; (e) developing, implementing and monitoring programmes to minimize workplace and environmental pollution involving chemical, physical and biological hazards; (f) advising on methods to prevent, eliminate, control, or reduce the exposure of workers, students, the public and the environment to radiological and other hazards; (g) promoting ergonomic principles within the workplace such as matching furniture, equipment and work activities to the needs of employees; (h) providing education, information, training, and advice to persons at all levels on aspects of occupational hygiene and environmental health; (i) recording and investigating injuries and equipment damage, and reporting safety performance; (j) coordinating arrangements for the compensation, rehabilitation and return to work of injured workers. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Environmental health officer - Occupational health and safety adviser - Occupational hygienist - Radiation protection expert Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Environmental protection professionals - 2133 - Specialist medical practitioner (public health) - 2212 - Specialist nurse (public health) - 2221 - Occupational therapist - 2269 - Health inspector - 3257 - Occupational health and safety inspector - 3257 - Sanitarian - 3257 - Sanitary inspector - 3257 Note Professionals who assess, plan and implement programmes to monitor or control the impact of human activities on the environment are classified in Unit Group 2133: Environmental Protection Professionals.

Physiotherapists assess, plan and implement rehabilitative programmes that improve or restore human motor functions, maximize movement ability, relieve pain syndromes, and treat or prevent physical challenges associated with injuries, diseases and other impairments. They apply a broad range of physical therapies and techniques such as movement, ultrasound, heating, laser and other techniques. Tasks include - (a) administering muscle, nerve, joint functional ability and other tests to identify and assess physical problems of patients; (b) establishing treatment goals with patients and designing treatment programmes to reduce physical pain, strengthen muscles, improve cardiothoracic, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, restore joint mobility and improve balance and coordination; (c) developing, implementing and monitoring programmes and treatments using the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold, massage, manipulation, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, ultraviolet and infra-red light and ultrasound in the treatment of patients; (d) instructing patients and their families in procedures to be continued outside clinical settings; (e) recording information on patients’ health status and responses to treatment in medical records-keeping systems, and sharing information with other health professionals as required to ensure continuing and comprehensive care; (f) developing and implementing programmes for screening and prevention of common physical ailments and disorders; (g) supervising the work of physiotherapy assistants and others. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Geriatric physical therapist - Manipulative therapist - Orthopaedic physical therapist - Paediatric physical therapist - Physical therapist - Physiotherapist Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Chiropractor - 2269 - Occupational therapist - 2269 - Osteopath - 2269 - Podiatrist - 2269 - Acupressure therapist - 3255 - Hydrotherapist - 3255 - Massage therapist - 3255 - Physiotherapy technician - 3255 - Shiatsu therapist - 3255.

Dieticians and nutritionists assess, plan and implement programmes to enhance the impact of food and nutrition on human health. Tasks include - (a) instructing individuals, families and communities on nutrition, the planning of diets and preparation of food to maximize health benefits and reduce potential risks to health; (b) planning diets and menus, supervising the preparation and serving of meals, and monitoring food intake and quality to provide nutritional care in settings offering food services; (c) compiling and assessing data relating to health and nutritional status of individuals, groups and communities based on nutritional values of food served or consumed; (d) planning and conducting nutrition assessments, intervention programmes, and education and training to improve nutritional levels among individuals and communities; (e) consulting with other health professionals and care providers to manage the dietary and nutritional needs of patients; (f) developing and evaluating food and nutrition products to meet nutritional requirements; (g) conducting research on nutrition and disseminating the findings at scientific conferences and in other settings. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Clinical dietician - Food service dietician - Nutritionist - Public health nutritionist - Sports nutritionist.

Audiologists and speech therapists evaluate, manage and treat physical disorders affecting human hearing, speech, communication and swallowing. They prescribe corrective devices or rehabilitative therapies for hearing loss, speech disorders and related sensory and neural problems, and provide counselling on hearing safety and communication performance. Tasks include - (a) evaluating hearing, speech and language performance in patients to determine the nature of hearing and communication disorders; (b) administering hearing or speech/language tests or other examinations using specialized diagnostic instruments and equipment, and interpreting test results alongside other medical, social and behavioural diagnostic data to determine appropriate courses of treatment; (c) planning, directing and participating in counselling, screening, speech rehabilitation and other programmes related to hearing and communication; (d) prescribing hearing aids and other assistive devices according to patients’ needs and instructing them in their use; (e) planning and conducting treatment programmes to manage physical disorders affecting speech and swallowing; (f) counselling and guiding hearing and/or language-impaired individuals, their families, teachers and employers; (g) referring patients and families to additional medical or educational services if needed. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Audiologist - Language therapist - Speech pathologist - Speech therapist.

Optometrists and ophthalmic opticians provide diagnosis, management and treatment services for disorders of the eyes and visual system. They counsel on eye care and prescribe optical aids or other therapies for visual disturbance. Tasks include - (a) examining patients’ eyes and conducting diagnostic tests to assess ocular health and determine the nature and extent of vision problems and abnormalities; (b) testing visual function using specialized instruments and equipment for measuring visual acuity and refractive error, function of visual pathways, visual fields, eye movements, freedom of vision and intraocular pressure; (c) detecting, diagnosing and managing eye disease, including prescribing medications for treatment; (d) consulting with and referring patients to ophthalmologists or other health professionals if additional medical treatment is necessary; (e) detecting and diagnosing eye movement disorders and defects of binocular function, and planning and managing treatment programmes, including counselling patients in eye exercises to coordinate movement and focusing of eyes; (f) prescribing corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision aids, and checking optical devices for performance, safety, comfort and lifestyle; (g) advising on visual health matters such as contact lens care, vision care for the elderly, optics, visual ergonomics, and occupational and industrial eye safety. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Ophthalmic optician - Optometrist - Orthoptist Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Ophthalmologist - 2212 - Dispensing optician - 3254.

This unit group covers health professionals not classified elsewhere in Sub-major Group 22: Health Professionals. For instance, the group includes occupations such as podiatrist, occupational therapist, recreational therapist, chiropractor, osteopath and other professionals providing diagnostic, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services. In such cases tasks would include - (a) interviewing patients and conducting diagnostic tests to determine their health status, functional limitations, and the nature of physical or mental disorders, illnesses or other health problems; (b) developing and implementing treatment plans for injuries, illnesses and other physical and mental impairments; (c) evaluating and documenting patients’ progress through treatment plans, and referring patients and families to medical doctors or other health care providers for specialized, rehabilitative or other care services as needed; (d) administering therapeutic care and treatment to patients, including through application of manual and physical chiropractic and osteopathic techniques; (e) recommending environmental adaptations in the home, leisure, work and school environments on an individual or group basis to enable individuals with functional limitations to perform their daily activities and occupations; (f) planning and implementing therapeutic programmes on an individual and group basis for improving and maintaining physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning, including through the use of arts and crafts, dance and movement, music and other recreational activities; (g) identifying and prescribing treatments for conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg due to illness, disease or other physical impairment, and prescribing corrective footwear and advising on foot care to manage foot ailments; (h) performing minor surgical procedures such as on the foot and ankles. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Arts therapist - Chiropractor - Dance and movement therapist - Occupational therapist - Osteopath - Podiatrist - Recreational therapist Note Although in some jurisdictions chiropractic and osteopathy are considered to have the attributes of medical specializations, practitioners in these disciplines should always be classified here.