Direct Support Staff Resume Examples 2023

Research Summary. We analyzed 3,829 direct support staff resumes to determine which ones land the most jobs. Below you'll find examples of resumes that can help you get an interview (and a job offer) from companies like Rescare and Chrysalis. Here are the key facts about direct support staff resumes to help you get the job:

The average direct support staff resume is 255 words long
The average direct support staff resume is 0.6 pages long based on 450 words per page.
Direct support is the most common skill found on a direct support staff resume. It appears on 17.0% of resumes.

After learning about how to write a professional direct support staff resume, you can make sure your resume checks all the boxes with our resume builder.

Direct Support Staff Resume Example


Amy Martin Direct Support Staff Contact Information Philadelphia, PA (960) 555-3513 amartin@example.com Skills Health Care Patient Supervision ADL Residential Setting Client Behavior Community Activities CNA Personal Goals Communication CPR Employment History Direct Support Staff 2019 - Present Devereux Florida Treatment Network Philadelphia, PA Ally Home Health care, 6224 Lake Land Ave. N Suite #100 Assisted in monitoring, tracking, and revising direct support plans for the three individuals under my care. Direct Care Professional 2009 - 2019 Ally Financial Belle Mead, NJ Prepared reports and communication for senior management. Transport patients to medical appointments and encourage independent living. Mentored clients and worked as part of a team which provided mental health services focused on the direct needs of consumers. Provide personal care for clients Kept inventories for client material received Ensured proper storage conditions at the house . Mental Health Assistant 2008 - 2009 Carrier Clinic Belle Mead, NJ Assisted professional nursing staff with basic patient care. Assisted in revising the mental health services fund management plan. Education Bachelor's Degree Psychology 2005 - 2008 Arizona State University Phoenix, AZ


Cheryl Warren Direct Support Staff Contact Info Fort Lauderdale, FL (980) 555-1795 cwarren@example.com Skills Behavioral IssuesCommunity ServicesFacilityResidential SettingIntellectual DisabilitiesCommunity ActivitiesResidential CareIndependent LivingClassroom ManagementADL Employment History Direct Support Staff 2012 - Present Motorola Solutions Fort Lauderdale, FL Major Achievements: Developed of a highly efficient implementation of the Reed Solomon algorithm for the SC140 DSP. Simulated Turbo Coding error correction algorithm on the TCOP co-processor for the SC140 DSP. Joint integration and development on Customization of Digital Filter using [ ] DSP with Japan Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Test automation. Supported persons with intellectual disabilities toward independence in ADLS, as well as successful community integration and medication administration. Residential Aide 2005 - 2012 Century 21 Department Stores Fort Lauderdale, FL Certify in CPR, Blood Borne Pathogens, AED, and basic first aid. Assist in all areas of personal care and housekeeping. Transported residents Followed policies and procedures established by Public Health, Division of Mental Health, and the Agency. Assisted individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with meal times, personal cares, medication administration and recreational activities. Resident Care Assistant 2003 - 2005 Brightstar Fort Lauderdale, FL Position: Personal Care Assistant Assisted consumers in daily activities including meal prep, exercise, clothing and bathing. Maintain a record of vital signs and log of patient condition, progress, and problems. Home health care is like being a part of an extended family every time I worked my shift. Provided patients and families with emotional support. Assist with ADL's daily. Monitored vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse. Education Certificate Nursing 2002 - 2003 Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FL


Olivia Mcdonald Direct Support Staff Eugene, OR (550) 555-2396 omcdonald@example.com Experience Direct Support Staff2020 - Present Dungarvin•Eugene, OR Use of alternative communication system/s to facilitate maximum interaction with consumers. Take care of adults with mental health issues and take them to their appointments and take them into the community Cared for individuals with developmental disabilities, health conditions and mental health diagnosis in a group home. Direct Care Counselor2018 - 2020 Visiting Angels•Portland, OR Provide assistance with personal care and/or daily needs for elderly individuals in their own homes. Transport clients to and back from appointments, and provided companionship. Provide quality personal care Bathing Attend appointments with client Cook meals Do daily living activities, such as walking, coloring, and reading with my clients. Administer medication first aid CPR and insulin Health Care Assistant2013 - 2018 Visiting Angels•Portland, OR Cared for elderly clients with disabilities, prepared meals, bathed, ran errands, companionship, etc. Home Health Aid Home Health Care Medication Reminders Personal cares Hospice Provided personal care to clients. Assisted clients with ADL's, ROM, Meal planning, Budgeting, Errands, and Cleaning. Skills Independent LivingDCWCommunity InvolvementPatient CareFood PreparationIntellectual DisabilitiesEmotional SupportMental HealthCommunicable DiseasesCommunity Health Education High School Diploma 2013 - 2013

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How your resume should look:

The job title on your resume should match your application for the role.
Ensure your work experience focuses on achievements, rather than responsibilities.
Recruiters and hiring managers suggest fitting your resume on one page.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Direct Support Staff Resume templates

Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Direct Support Staff templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Direct Support Staff resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.

What Should Be Included In A Direct Support Staff Resume

1. Add Contact Information To Your Direct Support Staff Resume

Your name should be the biggest text on the page and be at or near the top of the document.

Your address doesn't need to include your street name or house number - listing your city and state works just fine.

Your email address should be professional, but not your current work email address. It's not a good look to use your work email for personal projects (job-searching).

Your social media can be included if you have a fully-fledged LinkedIn page or another social media page that showcases your relevant skill set.

Direct Support Staff Resume Contact Information Example #1

Hank Rutherford Hill

St. Arlen, Texas | 333-111-2222 | hank.hill@gmail.com

Do you want to know more?

How To Write The Perfect Resume Header

2. Add Your Relevant Education To The Resume

Your resume's education section should include:

The name of your school
The date you graduated (Month, Year or Year are both appropriate)
The name of your degree

If you graduated more than 15 years ago, you should consider dropping your graduation date to avoid age discrimination.

Optional subsections for your education section include:

Academic awards (Dean's List, Latin honors, etc. )
GPA (if you're a recent graduate and your GPA was 3.5+)
Extra certifications
Academic projects (thesis, dissertation, etc.)

Other tips to consider when writing your education section include:

If you're a recent graduate, you might opt to place your education section above your experience section
The more work experience you get, the shorter your education section should be
List your education in reverse chronological order, with your most recent and high-ranking degrees first
If you haven't graduated yet, you can include "Expected graduation date" to the entry for that school

Majors

12.2%

10.7%

10.3%

8.9%

Direct Support Staff Resume Relevant Education Example #1

Bachelor's Degree In Psychology 2014 - 2016

Arizona State University Phoenix, AZ

Direct Support Staff Resume Relevant Education Example #2

High School Diploma 2014 - 2016

3. Next, Create A Direct Support Staff Skills Section On Your Resume

Your resume's skills section should include the most important keywords from the job description, as long as you actually have those skills. If you haven't started your job search yet, you can look over resumes to get an idea of what skills are the most important.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing your resume's skills section:

Include 6-12 skills, in bullet point form
List mostly hard skills; soft skills are hard to test
Emphasize the skills that are most important for the job

Hard skills are generally more important to hiring managers because they relate to on-the-job knowledge and specific experience with a certain technology or process.

Soft skills are also valuable, as they're highly transferable and make you a great person to work alongside, but they're impossible to prove on a resume.

Example Of Direct Support Staff Skills For Resume

Direct Support Skills
Direct support is a one-on-one service that helps with daily life skills and tasks that strengthen one's independence. A direct support professional is responsible for a variety of tasks related to the general care of people with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. The goal is to assist people to reach their full potential and to integrate and get engaged in their community.
Direct Care Skills
Direct care is the act of identifying people with special needs and offering the necessary care for them.
Community Events Skills
Community events are the events scheduled within the community.
Behavioral Issues Skills
Behavioral issues are the tendencies of individuals displaying unpleasant behavior as a result of sickness or addiction.
Mental Health Skills
Mental health is the state of wellbeing in which an individual can cope with the regular stresses and tensions of life, and can work productively without having any emotional or psychological breakdown. Mental health is essential for a person of any age and helps them make the right decisions in their life.
Meal Prep Skills
Meal prepping refers to the practice of preparing healthy meals long before the timing of its consumption. This practice is widely popular among working individuals who have very little free time on their hands. Prepping for future meals has some great health benefits apart from saving one's time as it enforces the idea of healthy eating and discourages the temptation of fast foods and takeouts.

Top Skills for a Direct Support Staff

Source: Zippia.com

Direct Support, 17.0%

Direct Care, 11.4%

Transport Clients, 10.8%

Good Judgment, 8.8%

Other Skills, 52.0%

Not sure which skills are really important?

3 Big Tips For Listing Skills On Your Resume

4. List Your Direct Support Staff Experience

The most important part of any resume is the experience section. Recruiters and hiring managers expect to see your experience listed in reverse chronological order, meaning that you should begin with your most recent experience and then work backwards.

Don't just list your job duties below each job entry. Instead, make sure most of your bullet points discuss impressive achievements from your past positions. Whenever you can, use numbers to contextualize your accomplishments for the hiring manager reading your resume.

It's okay if you can't include exact percentages or dollar figures. There's a big difference even between saying "Managed a team of engineers" and "Managed a team of 6 engineers over a 9-month project."

Most importantly, make sure that the experience you include is relevant to the job you're applying for. Use the job description to ensure that each bullet point on your resume is appropriate and helpful.

Don't have any experience?

How To Show Your Experience On a Resume... Even When You Don't Have Any

Work History Example # 1

Direct Support Staff

Family Support Services

Implemented PEC ( Picture Exchange Communication) to increase the ability of the family to communicate with nonverbal children.
Trained in CPR and Mandatory Child and Adult abuse in the state of Iowa.
Dispensed and administered medication to patients according to AMAP policies and procedures.
Administered medication according to AMAP policy and procedure.
Assisted her with communication by prompts and facilitated communication typing

Work History Example # 2

Developmental Aide

Devereux Foundation

Documented daily behaviors in a communication log.
Trained extensively in Safety Restraints, using the Safe & Positive Approaches program used by Devereux Foundation.
DevereuxCharted and recorded information in client files.
Managed client crises using trained safety techniques as well as CPR and First Aid techniques following company policy and procedures.
Trained in CPR/first aid, crisis management, facility hygiene requirements

Work History Example # 3

Direct Support Staff

Devereux Florida Treatment Network

Documented all daily activity and incidents Participated at ISP meetings to ensure that the individual's needs are being met.
Performed medical documentation and emotionally/ intellectually stimulating ADL programmatic while delivering exemplary patient care.
Completed all CPR, medication and sensitivity training necessary to work with the mentally/physically disabled.
Participated in the monthly communication to assist in coordinating end user back up procedures.
Certified in cpr, first aid, and MANDT training.

5. Highlight Your Direct Support Staff Certifications On Resume

Certifications can be a powerful tool to show employers that you know your stuff. If you have any of these certifications, make sure to put them on your direct support staff resume:

Medical Assistant
Medical G.A.S. Installer (Med)
Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS)
Medication Aide Certification (MACE)
Direct Support Professional- Certified (DSP-C)
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)

6. Finally, Add a Direct Support Staff Resume Summary Or Objective Statement

A resume summary statement is a 1-3 sentence spiel at the top of your resume that quickly summarizes who you are and what you have to offer. In this section, include your job title, years of experience (if it's 3+), and an impressive accomplishment, if you have space for it.

Remember to address skills and experiences that are emphasized in the job description.

Are you a recent grad?

Read our guide on how to write a resume summary statement

Entry level Direct Support Staff Resume example


Frank Peters Direct Support Associate Contact Info Irving, TX (590) 555-0108 fpeters@example.com Skills Recreational ActivitiesEmotional SupportIndependent LivingPersonal CareTreatment PlansPatient CareYouth SportsBlood PressureDirect SupportPersonal Needs Employment History Direct Support Associate 2020 - Present The Mosaic Company Irving, TX Provided direct care to six women with intellectual disabilities in a group home setting. Assisted with ADLs Provided patients and families with emotional support. Care for individuals by providing companionship, personal care, or help in adjusting to new lifestyles. Direct Support Worker 2019 - 2020 Easter Seals Goodwill Santa Fe, NM Administer medication to clients and accompany clients to medical and mental health appointments. Help clients with personal care, such as moving from bed, bathing, dressing, and grooming. Administer beside or personal care, ambulation or personal hygiene assistance. Provide support to individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Recreation Aide 2009 - 2019 City of Corona - City Government San Bernardino, CA Create and supervise crafts, organized play, snack, homework assistance, and ensure proper check out by authorized guardians. Interact with Children 5-18 years old, Organize, Lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, Greet new arrivals. Monitor facility during daily activities and events. Education Certificate Psychology 2008 - 2009 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA


Jordan Owens Direct Support Associate Contact Information Fort Wayne, IN (930) 555-0858 jowens@example.com Skills Emotional Support Scip Mental Health Personal Care Comfortable Environment DSP IV Treatment Plans Intellectual Disabilities Behavioral Issues Employment History Direct Support Associate 2020 - Present Bethesda Thrift Shop Fort Wayne, IN Guide and monitor work of Direct Support Professionals (DSP s) and mentor them in their professional development. Assist with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene. Developmental Aide 2015 - 2020 Supportive Concepts For Families Reading, PA Help with personal care needs of clients. Provided services, including transportation and scheduling to assist seniors with activities of daily living (ADL) Direct Support Professional - provide direct support to individuals who are developmentally disabled. Residential Instructor 2013 - 2015 Supportive Concepts For Families Reading, PA Provide Care and supervision for mental health Consumers. Administer medication, patient care and hygiene, and patient outings Provided and promoted mental health services to individuals with mental retardation and autism in different facilities. Education High School Diploma 2013 - 2013


Zachary Hall Direct Support Associate Jacksonville, FL (470) 555-5280 zhall@example.com Experience Direct Support Associate2019 - Present NATIONAL MENTOR HOLDINGS•Jacksonville, FL Direct Support Staff Assisted mentally and physically disabled individuals with daily living activities including personal hygiene and meal preparation. Direct Support Professional Provide daily cares to mentally challenged adults Meal preparation and planning Medication administration Personal Cares Provide services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and brain injuries. Acted as a liaison between the manager and other DSP's. Help them achieve their personal goals . Provided in-home health care for an adult with physical disabilities. Support Staff2018 - 2019 Easter Seals Goodwill•Fort Wayne, IN Worked in residential setting providing individual counseling services. Assist persons with developmental disabilities with daily living activities in a residential setting. Serve as subject-matter-expert on all Private Client Services banking/credit products. Managed several reports related to safety, payroll, purchasing, and inventory. Direct Support Worker2014 - 2018 D&S Community Services•San Antonio, TX Audit, as an intermediary, Medicare and Medicaid cost reports of health care providers. Assisted patients with bathing, oral hygiene, grooming, feeding and elimination. Perform personal care activities; hygiene, ambulation, eating, dressing, toileting and shaving. Educated patients/families on health care needs, conditions, options etc. Skills CommunicationHippaSubstance AbuseFood PreparationDirect Support PersonnelMental HealthEmotional SupportDaily Living ActivitiesDaily LifeIntellectual Disabilities Education Certificate Criminal Justice2013 - 2014 Monroe College•Bronxville, NY

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How to make a job-winning resume:

Make sure to list hard and soft skills that are relevant to the position you're applying for on your resume. The top skills that direct support staff should have on their resume are: direct support, direct care, transport clients.
If you're applying for an entry-level direct support staff position and you have no work experience, you can include relevant classes you took in school.

Five Key Resume Tips For Writing A Direct Support Staff Resume:

Relevant Experience

Make sure that the jobs, experience, and accolades that you include are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Provided round the clock care alone with daily help of ADL's, transported consumers to and from appointments.

The Right Skills

This is a great time to run wild with those keywords from the job description. For example, if they’re looking for someone with experience in Independent Living, be sure to list it in your resume’s skills section.

Teach, document and monitor ADL skills to children with autism in group home.

Quantifiable Achievements

Your workplace accomplishments tell the story of the unique value you bring to an organization. Stay away from dry descriptions of job duties. Use numbers to help contextualize your achievements..

ATS-Friendly

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a piece of software employers use to collect, scan, organize, and rank applications. The key to getting your resume past ATS and into the hands of hiring managers is smart keyword usage.

Impeccable Formatting

Formatting a resume so that it looks professional and attractive is important. With Zippia’s resume builder, you can put together a modern-looking resume in less than 10 minutes. Just choose a resume template that suits your style, answer some questions about your background, and you’ll have a resume that’ll pass muster with both the ATS and the hiring manager.

Not sure how to make a resume that stands out?

See sample resumes for the job you want

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Entry Level Direct Support Staff Resume Templates

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Updated November 18, 2022

Direct Support Staff Resume Examples 2023

Direct Support Staff Resume Example

Choose From 10+ Customizable Direct Support Staff Resume templates

What Should Be Included In A Direct Support Staff Resume

1. Add Contact Information To Your Direct Support Staff Resume

2. Add Your Relevant Education To The Resume

3. Next, Create A Direct Support Staff Skills Section On Your Resume

4. List Your Direct Support Staff Experience

5. Highlight Your Direct Support Staff Certifications On Resume

6. Finally, Add a Direct Support Staff Resume Summary Or Objective Statement

Entry level Direct Support Staff Resume example

Five Key Resume Tips For Writing A Direct Support Staff Resume:

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Ready To Start Your Direct Support Staff Resume?

Related Direct Support Staff Resume Templates

Entry Level Direct Support Staff Resume Templates

Links To Help Optimize Direct Support Staff Resumes

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