Doctors of naturopathic medicine

Strong job outlook

Overview

Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Doctors of podiatric medicine

  • Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot and communicate diagnoses to patients

  • Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy, or prescribed medications

  • May also perform surgery on the bones of the forefoot and the subcutaneous soft tissues of the foot.

  • Chiropodists and diploma or first-degree trained podiatrists

  • Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot

  • Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy and subcutaneous soft-tissue foot surgery.

  • Doctors of naturopathic medicine

  • Diagnose patients' diseases and disorders

  • Employ natural methods of healing such as acupuncture and acupressure, spinal manipulation, reflexology, hydrotherapy, herbal medicines, biochemical therapy, clinical nutrition, homeopathy and counselling in their treatment.

  • Doctors of osteopathic medicine

  • Diagnose disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal, circulatory and nervous systems

  • Treat patients with manipulative therapy, medications or surgery.

Job titles

  • chiropodist
  • doctor of naturopathic medicine
  • doctor of naturopathy
  • doctor of osteopathic medicine
  • doctor of osteopathy
  • doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition
The labour market information for this career is aggregate data for Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating

Annual salary

Low

$35,592

Median

$71,500

High

$124,000

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

Strong job outlook

British Columbia

184

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.)

  • A four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medicine available in the United States and in Quebec, normally following completion of a bachelor's degree program, is required.

  • A medical residency is required in Alberta and British Columbia.

Additional information

  • Chiropodist and podiatrist titles are used interchangeably, depending on the province or territory. The use of the podiatrist job title does not necessarily refer to doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.).

  • Doctors of osteopathic medicine may obtain a licence as general practitioners.

Certification requirements

Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Doctors of naturopathic medicine in B.C.

  • Registration with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia

Registration with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia

Please confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a doctor of naturopathic medicine in BC, you must be registered with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC (CNPBC). Eligibility is achieved through graduation from a recognized naturopathic medical school, and successful completion of both the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations and the CNPBC's examinations.

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Post-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 College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia website for other options.

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