Checking the Pulse: Companion Piece

Checking the Pulse

March 2013

A Labour Market Profile of the Health Care Industry in Hamilton, Ontario

Did you know? …The health care industry is one of Hamilton’s fastest growing areas of employment?

In March 2013, Workforce Planning Hamilton released Checking the Pulse, a detailed guide for people who want to learn about the workforce characteristics, employment opportunities, and skills required to succeed in this field.

Employment in health care and social assistance grew more than 10% in the past five years in the Hamilton CMA

When people think of health care occupations, they typically think of doctors or nurses working in a hospital setting. But did you know only about 60% of people in the health care industry work in a ‘health occupation’?

There are many other jobs available in management, business, finance, sales, service, and trades, just to name a few. Not all jobs are in a hospital setting, with many career opportunities existing in nursing homes, offices of doctors, dentists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and optometrists, and mental health facilities.

With so many options and opportunities, a career in health care could be right for you! Read on to discover more about what it takes to succeed in this caring industry.

The health care sector is a gateway to career growth and advancement

Fast Facts •

There are almost 1,700 health care employers in Hamilton

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Hamilton is a regional health care hub for surrounding communities, offering specialized care through its major hospital networks Hamilton Health Sciences and St Joseph’s Healthcare

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Ontario is shifting focus to community-based care to treat more patients in alternative settings such as non-profit clinics and at home instead of in hospitals

I want to work in the health care industry, but I don’t know where to start!

The health care industry requires people of all skills levels and educational backgrounds to work together to provide the best patient care. Many people start their career in the industry as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), an important member of the health care team who provides assistance with basic personal care and light housekeeping services for the elderly, chronically ill, and people with physical disabilities. As the provincial health care budget shifts focus to home and community-based care, it is likely PSWs will continue to have excellent job prospects in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, adult day programs, and community care facilities. Many PSWs go on to become registered practical nurses, Hamilton employers have or complete advanced degrees to become registered nurses or clinical nurse indicated personal support specialists. Mohawk College offers a certificate program for PSWs. workers and registered nurses will Not sure if being a PSW is right for you? Check out some other common occupations be in the highest demand in the next 3-5 years. in the health care industry in Hamilton. Once you get your foot in the door, a health care career can take you many places.

I want a job that requires…

Skill Level D

on-the-job training 7% of people who work in the health care industry in Hamilton work in occupations of this skill level For example, • •

Light duty cleaners (NOC 6661) Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents (NOC 6663) • Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related occupations (NOC 6641) Found in a variety of locations including hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities

Skill Level C

secondary school or occupation-specific training 27% of people who work in the health care industry work in occupations of this skill level For example, • Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (PSWs) (NOC 3413) • Receptionists and switchboard operators (NOC 1414) • Visiting homemakers, housekeepers and related occupations (NOC 6471) • Dental assistants (NOC 3411) • General office clerks (NOC 1411) • Accounting and Related Clerks (NOC 1431) Found in a variety of locations, including hospitals, offices of doctors, dentists, and other professionals, long-term care facilities and nursing homes

Skill Level B Check out Caring Careers available at www.workforceplanninghamilton.ca for detailed occupational information!

college education or apprenticeship training 23% of people who work in the health care industry work in occupations of this skill level

Skill Level A

For example, •

Medical laboratory technologists and pathologists assistants (NOC 3211) • Medical laboratory technicians (NOC 3212) • Dental hygienists and dental therapists (NOC 3222) • Registered practical nurses (NOC 3233) • Administrative officers (NOC 1221) • Secretaries (except legal and medical) (NOC 1241) • Medical secretaries (NOC 1243) • Court recorders and medical transcriptionists (NOC 1244) • Electronic service technicians (NOC 2242) • Computer network technicians (NOC 2281) • Community and social service workers (NOC 4212) • Cooks (NOC 6242) Local Training • Mohawk College offers a variety of relevant programs including ones in community and social service work, practical nursing, and occupational therapist assistants, as well as pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs

Many of the common skill level B occupations may qualify for Second Career (shown in green), an Ontario government program that is helping laid-off workers get back to work. If you have been laid off from a full-time job in Ontario in the past four years, currently are either underemployed, working fewer than 20 hours per week or under employed, and are interested in training for a new career in Ontario, you may qualify for up to $28,000 to pay for tuition and expenses.

university education 40% of people who work in the health care industry work in occupations of this skill level For example, • •

Specialist physicians (NOC 3111) General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112) • Dentists (NOC 3113) • Pharmacists (NOC 3131) • Dieticians and nutritionists (NOC 3132) • Physiotherapists (NOC 3142) • Registered Nurses (NOC 3152) • Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171) • Psychologists (NOC 4151) • Social workers (NOC 4152) • Family, marriage and other related counsellors (NOC 4153) • Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 4165) • Recreation, sports and fitness program supervisors (NOC 4167) Local Training • McMaster University, one of the best universities in the country, offers a variety of degree programs related to health sciences, medicine, and information technology

Transforming Health Care: What Employers are Saying •

An aging population, demands for service and technological changes continue to apply pressure on the health care system

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The province is moving to patient-centred funding models to improve the value and quality of care

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Ontario is shifting focus to community-based care to treat patients in alternative settings such as non-profit clinics and at home instead of in hospitals

What does this mean for Hamilton’s workforce?

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The number of organizations that offer care outside of the hospital has grown by 20% from 2008-2012

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Likely increase in demand for home-based caregivers including personal support workers and registered nurses

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Technological advancements, such as the transition to electronic health records means that workers in many occupations must adapt to new technology

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Many employers indicated they provide in-house training for employees as new practices emerge and it is the soft skills such as a positive attitude and a willingness to learn that separate a great employee from a good one

March 2013

Growing the Potential of Life Sciences in Hamilton A labour market profile of the life sciences cluster in Hamilton, Ontario

As procedures become more electronic, there has been an increase in demand for information and communication technologists in the health care industry.

Life Sciences in Hamilton A cluster heavily connected to the health care industry in Hamilton, life sciences is another area of employment that may be of interest to you. Careers in life sciences tend to be highly-skilled and more specialized than those in the broad health care sector. Much of the life science activity in Hamilton takes place at McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences, and St Joseph’s Healthcare, as well as businesses in biotechnology, medical devices and equipment, pharmaceuticals and research services. The City of Hamilton, with industry support, is working on developing this cluster in order to capitalize on the investment and business opportunities the cluster offers.

For more information check out Growing the Potential of Life Sciences in Hamilton, available on Workforce Planning Hamilton’s website.

www.workforceplanninghamilton.ca

This Employment Ontario program is funded by the Ontario government.