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Direct Care Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Mercy

Primary Care Assistant - MA

Oelwein, IA

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

... Assistant program Experience Preferred: One year of applicable patient care experience or ... directed and able to perform tasks that are in scope of practice independently with minimal ...

CONSUMER DIRECT CARE NETWORK

Caregiver

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$16.32/hr

CDCN's role is to assist the Member or Managing Party in recruiting a Direct Care Worker. The Member or Managing Party has the sole authority to hire or dismiss any potential Direct Care Worker.

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Direct Care Assistant information

See Iowa salary details

$11

$19

$26

How much do direct care assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct care assistant in Iowa is $19.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $23.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a direct care assistant?

Direct Care Assistants are professionals who provide essential support and care to individuals who may have physical, mental, or developmental disabilities. They assist clients with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication reminders. Direct Care Assistants often work in settings like group homes, assisted living facilities, or private residences, helping clients maintain their independence and quality of life. They also monitor clients’ well-being and may report any changes or concerns to healthcare professionals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a direct care assistant?

To thrive as a Direct Care Assistant, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic healthcare knowledge, and often completion of a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program. Familiarity with patient care documentation systems, mobility aids, and basic first aid is typically required. Compassion, patience, and strong interpersonal communication help build trust and rapport with clients. These skills are crucial to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of individuals receiving direct care.

What are some common challenges faced by direct care assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Direct Care Assistants often encounter challenges such as managing clients with diverse needs, handling emotionally demanding situations, and maintaining clear communication with healthcare teams. To manage these effectively, it's important to build strong rapport with clients, remain patient and adaptable, and seek guidance from supervisors or colleagues when needed. Regular training and self-care practices can also help Direct Care Assistants stay resilient and provide high-quality support.

What is the difference between Direct Care Assistant vs Personal Care Aide?

AspectDirect Care AssistantPersonal Care Aide
CertificationsMay require CPR, First Aid, or state-specific certificationsOften requires similar certifications, depending on state
Work EnvironmentAssists clients in homes, facilities, or community settingsProvides personal care mainly in home or facility settings
Employer & IndustryHealthcare facilities, home care agencies, assisted livingHome health agencies, nursing homes, private residences

Both roles involve assisting individuals with daily activities, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference lies in terminology used by employers and regions, with 'Direct Care Assistant' often emphasizing a broader scope of support, while 'Personal Care Aide' focuses more on personal and daily living assistance.

What do you need to be a direct care assistant?

To become a direct care assistant, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic caregiving skills, and sometimes certification in first aid or CPR. Some employers may require background checks and training specific to the care setting, such as patient handling or medication administration.

What are the most commonly searched types of Direct Care jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Direct Care jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Direct Care Assistant jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Direct Care Assistant job openings:

Direct Care Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Care Assistant job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,234 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Direct Care - Mason CIty-FULL TIME-2nd Shift

Four Oaks Family & Children Services

Mason City, IA

$19/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

***MAKE AN IMPACT***

Who are we?

At Four Oaks, we believe that every child needs the opportunity to succeed. It’s more than our mission – it’s the passion that permeates everything we do. Four Oaks has grown to become one of the state’s largest agencies devoted to child welfare, education, juvenile justice and behavioral health. We recognize that children and families come to us from a variety of circumstances, which makes it important for us to reach kids and families where they are right now. For that reason, we provide prevention, intervention and treatment programs and services.

Why Work here?

Four Oaks understands the importance of supporting and treating one another as if they were our own family members.  We believe in maintaining a healthy work/life balance while providing career paths for everyone.  Our organization flourishes in an environment of equal opportunity and fair treatment for all.  The effects of diversity and inclusion have created an atmosphere of positivity which connects us to the customers we serve.  As a valued team member on a full-time basis, you are eligible for:

  • Medical, dental & vision insurance
  • 401k Retirement plan
  • Growth & Advancement opportunities
  • Competitive Wages - $19.00 to start 
  • Excellent paid leave time package
  • 7 paid holidays  
  • Business casual work environment
  •  

What you will do?

As a Youth Counselor you will be responsible for providing direct care services for our clients.  This position will assess client interactions, formulate interventions based on the identified treatment plan and evaluate the progress of treatment goals. Specific duties include:

  • Provide consistent, individualized reinforcement to client behavior, using daily issues to teach and reinforce adaptive behaviors.
  • Utilize a proactive/preventive method of intercepting problems to neutralize them before they escalate.
  • Strategically utilize identified behavior management techniques and other de-escalation training to assist clients in developing appropriate behaviors.
  • Assist clients in developing insight into their behaviors so that they learn to self-identify and self correct.
  • Understand the impact of client’s behaviors on their own actions/reactions in the workplace and utilizes team feedback to enhance the effectiveness of their interventions.
  • Provide daily living supervision and treatment intervention.
  • Establish a therapeutic relationship with the client based on trust and respect.
  • Evaluate the impact of behavioral, group treatment, and life-space interventions and provides direction/feedback.
  • Assure consistent, ongoing, and timely provision for basic client needs.
  • Follow medication management guidelines.
  • Safely transport youth to/from program activities and community resources monitoring behaviors and following agency transportation protocols.
  • Effectively participate in team to review case progress and provide best programming.
  • Maintain good team participation and interaction.
  • Maintain positive role modeling and performance, as an agent of change for the youth.
  • Develop and maintain a working knowledge of Behavior Health Intervention Services (BHIS) and Medicaid requirements and standards.
  • Complete documentation of services in a timely manner – including daily case notes, behavior management, visual checks, etc.

What you need:

To qualify you must be at least 21 years of age and possess a High School Diploma or GED. A Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services related field of study is preferred, but not required.  Additional requirements include:

  • Desire to help kids succeed.
  • Prior experience working with children in a mental health setting preferred.
  • Strong communication and problem solving abilities.
  • Basic computer skills in a MS Office environment.

Apply