325 Other Health Associate Professionals

Dental assistants and therapists provide basic dental care services for the prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth, according to care plans and procedures established by a dentist or other oral health professional. Tasks include - (a) advising communities and individuals on dental hygiene, diet and other preventive measures to reduce potential risks to oral health; (b) conducting visual and physical examinations of patients’ mouths, teeth and related structures to assess oral health status; (c) identifying cases of patients with poor oral health or oral disease requiring referral to a dentist or other health professional; (d) assisting dentists during complex dental procedures; (e) providing fluoride treatments, cleaning and removing deposits from teeth, preparing cavities and placing fillings, administering local anaesthesia, and performing other types of basic or routine clinical dental procedures; (f) preparing, cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments, equipment and materials used in the examination and treatment of patients; (g) getting patients ready for examination or treatment, including explaining procedures and correct positioning; (h) taking impressions of the mouth and dental radiographs to support diagnosis and fitting of dental prosthetics. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Dental assistant - Dental hygienist - Dental therapist Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Dentist - 2261 - Dental mechanic - 3214 - Dental prosthetist - 3214 - Dental technician - 3214 - Dental aide - 5329.

Medical records and health information technicians develop, maintain and implement health records processing, storage and retrieval systems in medical facilities and other health care settings to meet the legal, professional, ethical and administrative record-keeping requirements of health services delivery. Tasks include - (a) planning, developing, maintaining and operating a variety of health record indexes and storage and retrieval systems to collect, classify, store and analyse information; (b) transcribing, compiling and processing patient medical records, admission and discharge documents, and other medical reports into record-keeping systems to provide data for patient monitoring and referral, epidemiological monitoring, research, billing, cost control and care improvement; (c) reviewing records for completeness, accuracy and compliance with regulations; (d) translating narrative descriptions and numeric information from medical records and other documents on health services delivery into codes associated with standard classification systems; (e) protecting the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained, and releasing information to authorized persons and agencies in accordance with regulations; (f) supervising clerical and administrative workers involved in the maintenance of medical records. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Clinical coder - Disease registry technician - Health information clerk - Medical records analyst - Medical records clerk - Medical records technician - Medical records unit supervisor Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Medical secretary - 3344 - Data entry clerk - 4132 - Filing clerk - 4415 Notes Occupations included in this unit group normally require knowledge of medical terminology, legal aspects of health information, health data standards and computer- or paper-based data management as obtained through formal education and/or on-the-job training.

Community health workers provide health education, referral and follow-up, case management, basic preventive health care and home visiting services to specific communities. They provide support and assistance to individuals and families in navigating the health and social services system. Tasks include - (a) providing information to families and communities on a range of health issues including nutrition, hygiene, infant and child care, immunizations, family planning, risk factors and prevention of common infectious diseases, poisoning prevention, first aid for treatment of simple and common ailments, substance abuse, domestic violence and other topics; (b) visiting families in their homes to provide information on the health, social and other services available and support them in gaining access to these services; (c) visiting families who do not usually access medical establishments to monitor on a regular basis certain conditions such as progress with pregnancy, child growth and development, and environmental sanitation; (d) distributing to households medical supplies for the prevention and treatment of endemic diseases such as malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases, and instructing family and community members in the use of these products; (e) conducting outreach efforts to groups who do not usually access medical establishments with information and basic medical supplies for prevention and management of certain health conditions for which they are most at risk, such as HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases; (f) collecting data from households and communities who do not usually access medical establishments for purposes of patient monitoring and referral and reporting to meet health regulations. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Community health aide - Community health promoter - Community health worker - Village health worker Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Traditional midwife - 3222 - Village healer - 3230 - Home care aide - 5322 Notes Occupations included in this unit group normally require formal or informal training and supervision recognized by the health and social services authorities. Providers of routine personal care and traditional medicine practitioners are not included here.

Dispensing opticians design, fit and dispense optical lenses based on a prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist for the correction of reduced visual acuity. They service corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, low-vision aids and other optical devices. Tasks include - (a) examining and taking facial and eye measurements of clients for fitting of eyeglasses and other optical devices; (b) providing advice to clients on selection and maintenance of eyeglasses and frames, types of contact lenses and other optical devices for performance, safety, comfort and lifestyle; (c) interpreting optical prescriptions and preparing work orders for optical laboratories for grinding and mounting of lenses in frames, preparation of contact lenses and other required work; (d) verifying exactness of finished optical appliances and devices to the original prescription and fit of clients. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Contact lens optician - Dispensing optician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Ophthalmologist - 2212 - Ophthalmic optician - 2267 - Optometrist - 2267 - Orthoptist - 2267.

Physiotherapy technicians and assistants provide physical therapeutic treatments to patients in circumstances where functional movement is threatened by injury, disease or impairment. Therapies are usually provided according to rehabilitative plans established by a physiotherapist or other health professional. Tasks include - (a) administering manual treatments such as massage therapy or pressure point therapy; (b) administering electrical modality treatments, ultrasound and other physical therapies using specialized techniques and equipment; (c) instructing, motivating, safeguarding and assisting patients as they practise physical exercises, relaxation techniques and functional activities; (d) conferring with physiotherapists or other health care providers to evaluate patient information for planning, modifying and coordinating treatment; (e) monitoring and recording patients’ progress during treatment, including measuring their range-of-joint motion and vital signs; (f) fitting patients for orthopaedic braces, prostheses and other physical support devices such as crutches, and instructing patients in the use of such devices. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Acupressure therapist - Electrotherapist - Hydrotherapist - Massage therapist - Physical rehabilitation technician - Physiotherapy technician - Shiatsu therapist Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Physiotherapist - 2264 - Chiropractor - 2269 - Occupational therapist - 2269 - Podiatrist - 2269.

Medical assistants perform basic clinical and administrative tasks to support patient care under the direct supervision of a medical practitioner or other health professional. Tasks include - (a) interviewing patients and their families to obtain information on their health status and medical history; (b) assisting medical doctors and other health professionals to examine and treat patients, including measuring and recording vital signs, administering medications and performing routine clinical procedures such as giving injections and removing sutures; (c) getting patients ready for examination and treatment, including explaining procedures and showing them to examination rooms; (d) preparing and handling medical instruments and supplies, including sterilizing instruments and disposing of contaminated supplies in accordance with safety procedures; (e) collecting blood, tissue or other specimens, and preparing them for laboratory testing; (f) providing information to patients and families on health care topics including medications prescribed by a medical doctor or other health professional; (g) providing prescription and drug refill information to pharmacies; (h) maintaining cleanliness of patient waiting and examination rooms; (i) recording information on patients’ medical history, diagnostic testing and treatment procedures and results, and other information in medical record-keeping systems; (j) scheduling appointments with patients, and preparing documentation required for billing, reporting and insurance purposes. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Clinical assistant - Medical assistant - Ophthalmic assistant Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Clinical officer (paramedical) - 2240 - Medical prosthetic technician - 3214 - Dental assistant - 3251 - Physiotherapy assistant - 3255 - Medical secretary - 3344 - Medical imaging assistant - 5329 Note Occupations included in this unit group normally require formal training in health services provision. Clinical care providers with advanced training and skills to provide independent medical diagnostic and treatment services are classified in Unit Group 2240: Paramedical Practitioners.

Environmental and occupational health inspectors and associates investigate the implementation of rules and regulations relating to environmental factors that may affect human health, safety in the workplace, and safety of processes for the production of goods and services. They may implement and evaluate programmes to restore or improve safety and sanitary conditions under the supervision of a health professional. Tasks include - (a) advising employers’ and workers’ representatives on the implementation of governmental and other rules and regulations concerning occupational safety and the working environment; (b) inspecting places of work to ensure that the working environment, machinery and equipment conform to governmental and other rules, regulations and standards related to sanitation and/or occupational and environmental health and safety; (c) giving advice on environmental sanitary problems and techniques; (d) inspecting places of work and, by interviews, observations and other means, obtaining information about work practices and accidents to determine compliance with safety rules and regulations; (e) inspecting areas of production, processing, transport, handling, storage and sale of products to ensure conformity with governmental and other rules, regulations and standards; (f) advising enterprises and the general public on the implementation of governmental and other rules and regulations concerning hygiene, sanitation, purity and grading of primary products, food, drugs, cosmetics and similar goods; (g) inspecting establishments to ensure that they conform to governmental and other rules and regulations concerning emission of pollutants and disposal of dangerous wastes; (h) initiating action to maintain or improve hygiene and prevent pollution of water, air, food or soil; (i) promoting preventive and corrective measures such as control of disease-carrying organisms and of harmful substances in the air, hygienic food handling, proper disposal of waste and cleaning of public places; (j) estimating quantities and costs of materials and labour required for health, safety and sanitation remediation projects; Examples of the occupations classified here: - Food sanitation and safety inspector - Health inspector - Occupational health and safety inspector - Pollution inspector - Product safety inspector - Sanitarian - Sanitary inspector Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Environmental health officer - 2263 - Occupational health and safety adviser - 2263 - Occupational hygienist - 2263 - Radiation protection expert - 2263.

Ambulance workers provide emergency health care to patients who are injured, sick, infirm or otherwise physically or mentally impaired prior to and during transport to medical facilities. Tasks include - (a) assessing the health status of persons involved in accidents, natural disasters and other emergency situations, and determining needs for immediate and specialized medical assistance; (b) performing medical procedures and administering drugs and other therapies according to protocol for emergency medical treatment, including resuscitating and defibrillating patients and operating life-support equipment; (c) monitoring changes in the health status of patients during transport to and from medical, rehabilitation and other health care facilities; (d) providing information and training to community groups and essential service workers in first aid for initial care of an illness or injury; (e) attending and/or patrolling large-scale public gatherings and other events where health emergencies are more likely to occur; (f) recording information on patients’ conditions and treatments provided in medical record-keeping systems. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Ambulance officer - Ambulance paramedic - Emergency medical technician - Emergency paramedic Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Paramedical practitioner - 2240 - Ambulance driver - 8322 Note Occupations included in this unit group normally require formal training in emergency medical treatment, patient transport, ambulance principles and practice, or a related field. Ambulance drivers who do not provide health care are classified in Unit Group 8322: Car, Taxi and Van Drivers.

This unit group covers health associate professionals not classified elsewhere in Sub-major Group 32: Health Associate Professionals. For instance, the group includes occupations such as HIV counsellor, family planning counsellor and other health associate professionals. In such cases tasks would include - (a) interviewing and examining patients to obtain information on their health status and the nature and extent of injury, illness or other physical or mental health condition; (b) providing information and counselling to patients and families about certain health conditions, prevention and treatment options, treatment adherence, and personal behaviours that can affect health outcomes; (c) administering therapeutic care and treatment to patients; (d ) performing certain basic clinical procedures such as administration of HIV antibody tests or insertion of intrauterine devices; (e) dispensing and advising on dietary supplements, antiretroviral and prophylaxis medications, and other health care products; (f) monitoring patients’ progress through treatment plans, and identifying signs and symptoms requiring referral to a medical doctor or other health professional; (g) recording information on patients’ health status and responses to treatment in medical record-keeping systems; (h) sharing information with other health care providers when required to ensure continuing and comprehensive care. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Anaesthesia technician - Family planning counsellor - HIV counsellor - Respiratory therapy technician Note Occupations included in this unit group normally require formal training in health service provision.