Primary care provider vs direct support staff

The differences between primary care providers and direct support staff can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a primary care provider has an average salary of $35,422, which is higher than the $31,268 average annual salary of a direct support staff.

The top three skills for a primary care provider include patients, internal medicine and family practice. The most important skills for a direct support staff are direct support, direct care, and transport clients.

Primary care provider vs direct support staff overview

	Primary Care Provider	Direct Support Staff
Yearly salary	$35,422	$31,268
Hourly rate	$17.03	$15.03
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	103,863	182,001
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

What does a primary care provider do?

Primary Care Providers, also known as general practitioners instead of specialists, are doctors trained to be the first point of contact for a patient entering the health care system. They diagnose, treat, and prevent a broad range of injuries and illnesses from allergies and colds to longer-term conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus. Their duties include performing lab tests to identify a condition, prescribing medications, checking for drug interactions, provide wound care, executing spirometry tests and electrocardiograms, and coordinating specialist care for your condition. A Primary Care Provider will also help create self-care plans prescribing a certain diet and recommending exercise routines.

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.

Primary care provider vs direct support staff salary

Primary care providers and direct support staff have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Primary Care Provider	Direct Support Staff
Average salary	$35,422	$31,268
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $58,000	Between $18,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	California
Best paying company	AstraZeneca	Rockwell Medical
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between primary care provider and direct support staff education

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

	Primary Care Provider	Direct Support Staff
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Nursing	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Primary care provider vs direct support staff demographics

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

	Primary Care Provider	Direct Support Staff
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2%	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 9.7% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	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 primary care provider and direct support staff duties and responsibilities

Primary care provider example responsibilities.

Manage provider network to include verifying claims and benefits for healthcare providers/members and insurance companies.
Work alongside ABA therapists to continue to apply appropriate behavioral techniques.
Examine patients and carefully analyze test results and information gather during examinations to properly diagnose illnesses and diseases.
Used strong oral and written communications skills to develop and maintain effective relationships with patients, co-workers and international medical professionals.
Provide caring companionship to developmentally disabled/elderly residents.
Assist with toileting, including bedpans, urinals and commode chairs.

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.

Primary care provider vs direct support staff skills

Common primary care provider skills

Patients, 31%
Internal Medicine, 13%
Family Practice, 12%
Patient Care, 11%
Urgent Care, 10%
NP, 4%

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
Primary Care Provider
Primary Care Provider vs Direct Support Staff

Updated January 8, 2025

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