Attending, ambulatory care vs direct support staff

The differences between attendings, ambulatory care and direct support staff can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a direct support staff has an average salary of $31,268, which is higher than the $29,626 average annual salary of an attending, ambulatory care.

The top three skills for an attending, ambulatory care include patients, customer service and quality care. The most important skills for a direct support staff are direct support, direct care, and transport clients.

Attending, ambulatory care vs direct support staff overview

	Attending, Ambulatory Care	Direct Support Staff
Yearly salary	$29,626	$31,268
Hourly rate	$14.24	$15.03
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	169,412	182,001
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

What does an attending, ambulatory care do?

An attending, ambulatory care is responsible for providing patient care, supporting ongoing treatment of health issues, and managing recovery through coordinating with attending physicians or other medical professionals. They evaluate medical records, including history and consultation purposes, develop a necessary care plan, keep an accurate medical chart, and schedule laboratory tests and follow-up as needed. An attending, ambulatory care must have extensive knowledge of the medical principles and disciplines to monitor the patients' condition and observe medical measures.

What does a direct support staff do?

The direct support staff is an individual who takes responsibility for the overall care of people with developmental disabilities. Direct support professionals work directly with developmental illness patients in long-term health care facilities. They perform their jobs as home health and companion care providers who assist their clients in their daily movements and actions. It is their duty to ensure the comfort and safety of their clients. Also, they encourage behaviors and attitudes which strengthen community inclusion.

Attending, ambulatory care vs direct support staff salary

Attendings, ambulatory care and direct support staff have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Attending, Ambulatory Care	Direct Support Staff
Average salary	$29,626	$31,268
Salary range	Between $20,000 And $42,000	Between $18,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	University of California, Berkeley	Rockwell Medical
Best paying industry	Government	Professional

Differences between attending, ambulatory care and direct support staff education

There are a few differences between an attending, ambulatory care and a direct support staff in terms of educational background:

	Attending, Ambulatory Care	Direct Support Staff
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Nursing	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Attending, ambulatory care vs direct support staff demographics

Here are the differences between attendings, ambulatory care' and direct support staff' demographics:

	Attending, Ambulatory Care	Direct Support Staff
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6%	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 8.6% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between attending, ambulatory care and direct support staff duties and responsibilities

Attending, ambulatory care example responsibilities.

Assist patients with ADL's personal hygiene, feeding, dressing, bathing, grooming and toileting.
Perform first aid and CPR when require.
Require to be certify in adult CPR as well as certification as a medication aid.
Assist with daily ADL's (bathing, grooming, toileting, feeding), implement behavior plans, provide one-on-one care
Supervise and actively engage patients diagnose with Alzheimer's disease and/or dementia.
Perform minor physical therapy exercises with patients utilizing explicit instructions from certify therapist.

Direct support staff example responsibilities.

Ensure HIPAA compliance and provide client education.
Perform first aid, CPR and seizure care when require.
Assist mentally disable adults with ADL such as bathing cooking clothing, cleaning and medication administration.
Administer medication, provide transportation, assist with ADL skills, and inspire consumers to be independent.
Provide caring and companionship to elderly and developmentally disable consumers and provide primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities.
Maintain a safe and supportive environment while learning proper case management and the importance of ISP's and BSP's.

Attending, ambulatory care vs direct support staff skills

Common attending, ambulatory care skills

Patients, 18%
Customer Service, 16%
Quality Care, 10%
Patient Care, 8%
Direct Care, 5%
Rehabilitation, 5%

Common direct support staff skills

Direct Support, 17%
Direct Care, 11%
Transport Clients, 11%
Good Judgment, 9%
Home Maintenance, 7%
Ongoing Support, 7%

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Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Attending, Ambulatory Care
Attending, Ambulatory Care vs Direct Support Staff

Updated January 8, 2025

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