HSPBA: The Profile-Based Classification System

Welcome to the central hub for information about the profile-based classification system for health science professionals. This classification system was implemented in December 2024 as the first major change to the classification system for health science professionals since 1988.

All of this information was originally on one page, but we have broken it out into several pages to make it easier to navigate. Please click on the links below to read more.

History

Curious about how and why health science professionals moved to the profile-based classification system? Click here to read all about it.

Working Professionals

Please click here to read about the three profiles for working professionals (i.e. health science professionals working in non-supervisory roles).

Supervisory and Leadership Roles

Please click here to read about the four profiles for supervisory/leadership roles.

Reference Documents

Click here to see the reference documents for the profile-based classification system, including the profiles, the professional groupings, the classification manual, and the maintenance agreement. These documents are now in full force and effect, and replace the previous classification language of the 2022-2025 HSPBA collective agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to see the most frequently asked questions and answers about both the transition to the profile-based classification system and the profile-based classification system.

Challenges and Concerns

Your union is aware that for some members, and for some specific professions like pharmacists and supervisors working in medical imaging and medical laboratories, there have been substantive and serious problems with the transition to the profile-based classification system. Your union takes these concerns very seriously. Click here to read more about these issues.

What To Do If You Need Help

If you notice that you’re being paid the wrong rate, please notify payroll and ask them to correct it. We suggest that you do this by email so there’s a record of your request. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, please reach out to a steward for assistance.
 
If you think that your job is not classified correctly, there are two options, depending on which profile you’re seeking:

• If you think that your job requires you to perform a special procedure or technique that is not already listed on the P2A profile, you do not need to speak to a steward nor file a grievance. There is a separate process to notify your union so that we can advocate to add new special procedures and techniques to the P2A Special Procedures profile that you can read about above. Please follow this process as quickly as you can.
   
• If you think that your job should be matched to the P2B or S1 – S4 profiles, or if you perform a special procedure or technique that is already listed on the P2A profile,  please reach out to a steward. Your steward will be able to advise you what evidence you need to gather to support your grievance, and assist you in filing a classification grievance.