Direct support staff vs direct care counselor

The differences between direct support staff and direct care counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a direct care counselor has an average salary of $33,422, which is higher than the $31,268 average annual salary of a direct support staff.

The top three skills for a direct support staff include direct support, direct care and transport clients. The most important skills for a direct care counselor are crisis intervention, autism, and CPR.

Direct support staff vs direct care counselor overview

	Direct Support Staff	Direct Care Counselor
Yearly salary	$31,268	$33,422
Hourly rate	$15.03	$16.07
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	182,001	123,519
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

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.

What does a direct care counselor do?

A direct care counselor provides direct counseling and assistance to the elderly or individuals with disabilities and mental issues. They usually work at rehabilitation centers or care facilities and work together with nurses or caregivers to administer different treatment plans, monitor and support the patients' progress, and help the patients carry out daily activities such as performing hygienic or routine living tasks. Moreover, a direct care counselor may also develop and implement various healthcare programs and recreational activities while adhering to the facility's policies and regulations.

Direct support staff vs direct care counselor salary

Direct support staff and direct care counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Direct Support Staff	Direct Care Counselor
Average salary	$31,268	$33,422
Salary range	Between $18,000 And $53,000	Between $22,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Santa Maria, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Rockwell Medical	-
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between direct support staff and direct care counselor education

There are a few differences between a direct support staff and a direct care counselor in terms of educational background:

	Direct Support Staff	Direct Care Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Direct support staff vs direct care counselor demographics

Here are the differences between direct support staff' and direct care counselors' demographics:

	Direct Support Staff	Direct Care Counselor
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%	Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.3% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between direct support staff and direct care counselor duties and responsibilities

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.

Direct care counselor example responsibilities.

Obtain SCIP-R, CPR, and AMAP certifications.
Provide training to residents in improving ADL and independent living skills per the IHP and any/all relate behavior or medical requirements.
Obtain AMAP certification and administer medications under the supervision of assign nursing staff.
Provide direct care assistance for campers with autism, intellectual disabilities, and/or developmental delays.
Perform one-on-one supervision of children with disabilities including autism, complex mental health problems, and complex behavioral problems.
Help develop and carry-out treatment goals for individual clients as outlined in treatment plans and/or ISP goals and objectives.

Direct support staff vs direct care counselor skills

Common direct support staff skills

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

Common direct care counselor skills

Crisis Intervention, 12%
Autism, 11%
CPR, 10%
Developmental Disabilities, 10%
Incident Reports, 9%
Data Collection, 8%

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Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Direct Support Staff
Direct Support Staff vs Direct Care Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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