Podiatrists - WelcomeBC

Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C.
NOC: 3123
REGULATED
Podiatrists
Podiatrists
Introduction
What are the Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C.
British Columbia welcomes you! Like you, over 35,000
immigrants from around the world settle in B.C. each year and find
work in a variety of professions. The process of finding work can take
time, so it is important to understand each of the steps needed to
gain employment.
If you are preparing to come to B.C., or have just arrived, this guide
provides the following information:
Section 1
Section 1 - how this occupation is practiced in B.C.
Section 2 - steps to help you prepare before you arrive
Section 3 - qualifications needed in B.C.
Section 4 - tips to help you find employment
Occupational Overview
Occupation Description
Podiatrists diagnose diseases, deformities, and injuries of the
human foot and treat patients using braces, casts, shields,
orthotic devices, physical therapy, and subcutaneous soft-tissue
foot surgery.
Learn More
Podiatrists may have various job titles
Chiropodist
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.)
Foot Doctor
Working Conditions
Podiatrists work in private practices, clinics and hospitals.
Workforce Highlights
100 Podiatrists in B.C.
$20.00-$51.00
Hourly Wage
Range
For more information on wages and workforce see Section 2.
This Occupational Guide for Immigrants to B.C. is a resource to help immigrants build a career plan. Occupational qualifications and requirements
sometimes change. Planning your career in B.C. will require additional research and direct contact with the appropriate regulatory bodies,
professional associations and training institutions. This Occupational Guide is for general information only and is not legal or professional advice.
WelcomeBC.ca

Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C.
NOC: 3123
REGULATED
Podiatrists
Section 2
Prepare Before You Come to B.C.
Explore Regions in B.C. to Live and Work
The demand for each occupation varies throughout the regions of the
province. B.C. is a big province, about the same size as Tanzania or
Venezuela, and bigger than Pakistan or Turkey. Each region has different
employment needs and industries. Use the labour market information
and resources in this guide to explore regional employment options.
B.C. Labour Market Information
To learn more about your chosen profession visit the following websites
where you will find information including salaries, regional employment
opportunities, and job descriptions.
B.C. Job Trend Tracker
www.bcjobtrendtracker.ca
Education Planner
www.educationplanner.ca
WorkBC
www.workbc.ca
Working in Canada Tool
www.workingincanada.gc.ca
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BC Wage and Salary Survey 2009
www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/StatisticsBySubject/LabourIncome/Earnings.aspx
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Prepare Yourself
Plan and prepare for your career as much as possible before
arriving in B.C. Be sure you understand the provincial job
market and professional requirements of your occupation. You
may be able to start or complete many of these tasks before you
arrive in Canada.
B.C. DEVELOPMENT REGIONS
1. Vancouver Island/Coast 5. Cariboo
2. Mainland/Southwest 6. North Coast
3. Thompson-Okanagan 7. Nechako
4. Kootenay
8. Northeast
Get Started!
1. Learn about the occupation. Know the name of the job in Canada, and make lists of potential employers.
2. Collect documents. Collect copies of relevant documents, and if necessary, have them translated into English.
Degrees, diplomas or certificates from universities, colleges or schools
Program descriptions related to your studies, and transcripts of grades
Reference letters and performance reviews from employers
Work descriptions and letters from professional agencies
3. Improve your workplace skills. You may need to improve your skills or knowledge before you start working in B.C.
Explore all the resources provided in this guide.
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Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C.
NOC: 3123
REGULATED
Podiatrists
Essential Skills
Essential skills are the basic workplace abilities you need to
succeed on the job. The most important essential skills for
Podiatrists are: continuous learning, oral communication,
and critical thinking. The resources below can help you
assess and upgrade your essential skills.
Essential Skills in the Workplace
www.itsessential.ca
How Do Your Skills Measure Up
measureup.towes.com/default.asp
Test of Workplace Essential Skills
www.towes.com
English Language Requirements
Although there is no formal English language prerequisite to being a Podiatrist, you will need to
have advanced skills in listening and speaking to communicate with your clients, co-workers and
employer. You must be able to understand technical documents and write reports in English.
You should have reached a minimum English proficiency level of CLB 8 (Canadian Language
Benchmarks: www.language.ca).
You may need to enroll in training or upgrading programs. Training programs for Podiatrists
have language level requirements which may vary in the types of tests they accept and the
minimum scores required. Enrollment in a doctoral program at the University of British
Columbia requires a TOEFL IBT score of 88 (PBT 550), an IELTS score of 6.5, or Cambridge CAE
at level C. The following website can help you to explore various training facilities and their
entrance requirements: www.educationplanner.ca.
Improve Your Language Skills
Continue improving your language skills by taking further English and Canadian cultural training, joining organizations,
getting involved in different community groups, and attending events where English is the primary language spoken. The
more skills, certification, and languages you have, the more attractive you are to a potential employer.
English Language and Communication Services
DIVERSEcity
www.dcrs.ca
English Language Services for Adults
www.elsanet.org
Planning to Work in British Columbia,
Canada Workbook
www.welcomebc.ca/local/wbc/docs/
BC_Workbook_EN_June4_Fillable.pdf
IELTS International English
Language Testing System
www.ielts.org
Immigrant Services Society of BC
www.issbc.org
MOSAIC
www.mosaicbc.com
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
www.successbc.ca
TOEFL
www.toefl.org
Welcome BC
www.welcomebc.ca
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Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C.
NOC: 3123
REGULATED
Podiatrists
Section 3
Qualifications
The following information will help you understand how to
become qualified to work in your profession in B.C. This is
only a guide; you should do more research to make a career
plan that will work for you.
The College of Podiatric Surgeons of British Columbia
regulates the practice of podiatry in B.C. by setting education
and competency requirements, practice guidelines and
standards of practice, and by monitoring and enforcing these
requirements and standards.
Licensing and registration with the College of Podiatric
Surgeons of British Columbia is required in order to legally
practice as a Podiatrist in the province.
A doctoral degree in podiatry is required in order to practice
podiatry, and use the designation Doctor of Podiatric
Medicine (D.P.M.).
Podiatrist Qualifications
Getting a licence in B.C. is a multi-step process. To obtain
a professional designation that allows you to be licensed
and registered to practice podiatry, you are required to
demonstrate completion of a doctoral degree program in
podiatric medicine. A medical residency is required in British
Columbia.
Internationally Trained Professionals
For an assessment of international credentials and
qualifications prior to your arrival in B.C., contact the
Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
Their evaluation services offer expert advice on how
qualifications obtained abroad compare with credentials
obtained in a Canadian province or territory, however
the evaluation is advisory only and does not guarantee
recognition of your qualifications for employment or
certification purposes in Canada. Please note that they
charge a fee for their services. For detailed information,
visit: www.cicic.ca.
British Columbia Podiatric Medicine
Association (BCPMA)
foothealth.ca
College of Podiatric Surgeons of British
Columbia
bcpodiatrists.org
Learn More
Important Links for Podiatrists in B.C.
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Occupational Guides for Immigrants to B.C.
NOC: 3123
REGULATED
Podiatrists
Section 4
Tips to Finding Employment in B.C.
Get Help with Your Job Search
Finding a job in B.C. may be very different than in your home country.
You may need help finding job vacancies, updating your resume,
writing cover letters, preparing for interviews, and understanding
what B.C. employers are looking for.
Skills Connect for Immigrants program provide
employment-related support services that move
internationally educated professionals into the B.C. labour
market: www.welcomebc.ca/skillsconnect
B.C. Employment and Labour Market Services employment
programs: www.labourmarketservices.gov.bc.ca
!
Employers want experienced workers. Even with
the right certification and years of experience in your
country, many employers may want you to start in an
entry-level job to show your skills before you work in
your chosen profession.
Industry Links
These industry organizations provide important information
and offer key resources:
Canadian Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA)
www.podiatrycanada.org
Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
www.feetforlife.org
!
Look for jobs in the classified sections of newspapers, or
use on-line resources like:
CraigsList
geo.craigslist.org/iso/ca/bc
B.C. Jobs
www.bcjobs.ca
!
The Canadian government provides employment and settlement services in China, India, the Philippines and the United
Kingdom. The program is called the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program. More information about these pre-arrival
services: www.newcomersuccess.ca
Build Connections Within Your Profession
Many job vacancies are not advertised. Get advice from people you may know in B.C., including relatives, friends or
neighbours. Working as a volunteer, attending events, and joining clubs and associations are good ways to meet
people, learn about Canadian workplace culture and improve your English language and communication skills.
You may benefit from joining local Chambers of Commerce and business clubs, attending business functions, and
meeting with unions, contractors, employment agencies, and recruitment specialists. For more information
see: www.bcchamber.org
WelcomeBC.ca
This project is made possible through funding from
the Government of Canada with support from the Province of British Columbia. Updated December 4, 2012 5
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is used in Canada to classify jobs by industry and level of education. If you
are applying for an immigration program in Canada, you will need to know the NOC code for your occupation. The NOC
Code for Podiatrist is 3123. To learn more about NOC 3123, visit www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch.
aspxval65=3125