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What is a direct care provider and how to become one
Some people seem like they're born to care for people, reaching out at the right time and being there when needed. If you have a desire to help those in need, a direct care provider position could be ideal for you.
While you'll typically be caring for the elderly, a direct care provider can have a range of patients of various ages, illnesses, and abilities to function. Your main service will be providing them an easier life, assisting them with their meals and daily routines, monitoring their illness and medications, and communicating with their health care providers and, if necessary, family members for regular updates.
You'll not only need to be detail-oriented and have great interpersonal skills, but you'll also need to have integrity and be a trust-worthy individual. Many families are trusting you with their loved one's life and care, so being a hospitable person is necessary.
While a bachelor's degree or master's degree is preferable when looking for a direct care provider, it is possible to enter with a high school diploma/GED. The main concern is having the proper safety and health certifications. This will vary for each company since many have their own training procedures you'll go through which will often provide you with a certification. On average, a direct care provider earns about $13 per hour. This is often an hourly, part-time position, but many full-time opportunities exist within certain companies.
Avg. Salary $29,470
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 36%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.18%
Asian 7.84%
Black or African American 9.71%
Hispanic or Latino 15.92%
Unknown 4.37%
White 60.99%
Genderfemale 76.36%
male 23.64%
Age - 50American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 50Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Direct care provider career paths
Key steps to become a direct care provider
Explore direct care provider education requirements
Start to develop specific direct care provider skills
Skills Percentages CPR 24.29% Developmental Disabilities 23.12% Mental Health 5.44% Direct Care 4.31% Intellectual Disabilities 4.12% Gain additional direct care provider certifications
More About CertificationsDirect care provider certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific direct care provider certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for direct care providers include Medical Assistant and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.
Research direct care provider duties and responsibilities
- Require certification in MANDT and CPR.
- Coach and train clients to improve their daily living (ADL), social interaction and job skills.
- Provide instruction and assist the consumers with active daily living (ADL) skills such as cooking, bathing, dressing.
- Provide caring and companionship to elderly and developmentally disable consumers and provide primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities.
Get direct care provider experience
Prepare your direct care provider resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your direct care provider resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a direct care provider resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable direct care provider resume templates
Build a professional direct care provider resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your direct care provider resume.
Apply for direct care provider jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a direct care provider job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first direct care provider job
Are you a direct care provider?
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Average direct care provider salary
The average direct care provider salary in the United States is $29,470 per year or $14 per hour. Direct care provider salaries range between $20,000 and $42,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do direct care providers rate their job?
Direct care provider reviews
Observing clients master new skills and interacting with client on daily.Providing new challenges and goals specific to client abilities.
Learning how they’ve experience life good and bad but they always remained happy. How you can do anything in life if you believe then you can achieve it.
When they are scared because of experiences they may have encountered from someone else.
Working with the patient's and enjoying helping out what they need done..
Dogs in homes
Updated January 8, 2025
