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Direct Care Professional Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Merakey

Direct Care Professional

Harrisburg, PA · On-site

$18.25/hr

Position: Direct Support Professional Location: Harrisburg Pay Rate: Earn up to $18.25/hour with ... Provide direct care and support with activities of daily living (ADLs) * Assist with personal care ...

REACHING BEYOND LLC

Direct Care Professional

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$16 - $17/hr

As a Direct Care Professional in Chandler, Arizona, you will play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities or special needs. Your primary responsibility will ...

ServiceNet

Direct Care Professional

Turners Falls, MA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Vision insurance Direct Care Professional Department: Developmental Brain Injury Services Location: Residential programs throughout Hamden, Hampshire, Franklin & Berkshire counties! Shift: Multiple ...

ServiceNet

Direct Care Professional

Palmer, MA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Vision insurance Direct Care Professional Department: Developmental Brain Injury Services Location: Residential programs throughout Hamden, Hampshire, Franklin & Berkshire counties! Shift: Multiple ...

Radiant Health

Direct Care Professional

Marion, IN · On-site

$13.25 - $15.75/hr

Direct Care Professionals are responsible for teaching skills in the areas of daily functioning, self-care, and home management with clients. Employees work with clients in the assigned Supervised ...

ServiceNet

Direct Care Professional

Springfield, MA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Vision insurance Direct Care Professional Department: Developmental Brain Injury Services Location: Residential programs throughout Hamden, Hampshire, Franklin & Berkshire counties! Shift: Multiple ...

ServiceNet

Direct Care Professional

West Springfield, MA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Vision insurance Direct Care Professional Department: Developmental Brain Injury Services Location: Residential programs throughout Hamden, Hampshire, Franklin & Berkshire counties! Shift: Multiple ...

7 ALPHA

Direct Care Professional

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$18 - $19/hr

Position Summary Direct Support Professional Care Staff are responsible for the daily supervision, guidance, and support of youth in care, ensuring safety, emotional well-being, and compliance with ...

ServiceNet

Direct Care Professional

Ludlow, MA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Vision insurance Direct Care Professional Department: Developmental Brain Injury Services Location: Residential programs throughout Hamden, Hampshire, Franklin & Berkshire counties! Shift: Multiple ...

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Direct Care Professional information

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How much do direct care professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct care professional in the United States is $16.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Direct Care Professional?

A direct care professional, or a personal care assistant, works with patients who have chronic illnesses or long-term disabilities. In this role, your duties include running errands, providing transportation, and performing basic home health care for clients. You also help with daily activities, such as dress and undressing, cooking and cleaning, and bathing. The main career qualifications for this job are a high school diploma and background as a care worker. Sometimes a bachelor’s degree in a field like psychology is required. You need strong communication and organizational skills as well as compassion and empathy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Direct Care Professional, and why are they important?

To excel as a Direct Care Professional, you need a solid understanding of basic caregiving practices, personal care assistance, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma and relevant training or certifications such as CPR and First Aid. Familiarity with care documentation systems and assistive devices is typically required. Compassion, patience, and strong interpersonal communication skills help build trust and effectively support clients with diverse needs. These competencies are vital for ensuring client well-being, promoting dignity, and maintaining a safe and supportive care environment.

What are some common challenges faced by Direct Care Professionals, and how can they be managed effectively?

Direct Care Professionals often encounter challenges such as managing clients’ behavioral issues, maintaining clear communication with team members and families, and adapting to varying care needs. These challenges can be managed by practicing patience, utilizing de-escalation techniques, participating in ongoing training, and collaborating closely with supervisors and colleagues. Developing strong documentation habits and self-care routines also help maintain both quality of care and personal well-being.

What are Direct Care Professionals?

Direct Care Professionals are individuals who provide essential support and assistance to people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other special needs, often in residential or community settings. Their responsibilities include helping clients with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication management, and transportation. They also offer emotional support and help clients participate in social and recreational activities, aiming to improve their overall quality of life. Direct Care Professionals work under the supervision of healthcare professionals and are vital in promoting independence and well-being for those they assist.

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

AspectDirect Care ProfessionalPersonal Care Assistant
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, sometimes state-specific certificationsOften requires similar certifications like CPR and First Aid
Work EnvironmentAssists clients in homes, facilities, or community settingsPrimarily in clients' homes or assisted living facilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by healthcare agencies, home care companies, and community organizationsCommonly employed by home care agencies and private clients

Both roles involve providing personal care and support to individuals with disabilities or health needs. While the titles are often used interchangeably, 'Direct Care Professional' is a broader term that may include a variety of caregiving tasks, whereas 'Personal Care Assistant' typically emphasizes assisting with daily living activities in home settings.

More about Direct Care Professional jobs
What cities are hiring for Direct Care Professional jobs? Cities with the most Direct Care Professional job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Direct Care jobs? The most popular types of Direct Care jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Direct Care Professional jobs? The top employers for Direct Care Professional jobs are:
What states have the most Direct Care Professional jobs? States with the most job openings for Direct Care Professional jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Direct Care Professional jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Care Professional jobs are:
Direct Care Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Care Professional job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 2% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,887 per year, or $16.8 per hour.
Direct Care Professional

Direct Care Professional

Merakey

Harrisburg, PA • On-site

$18.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental

Posted 11 days ago

Merakey rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

106th of 228 rated social care providers

Job description

Position: Direct Support Professional
Location: Harrisburg
Pay Rate: Earn up to $18.25/hour with selection of Enhanced Pay option; earn $16.25/hour without selection of Enhanced Pay.
Shifts available: Evenings and Weekends (Double Weekends shift are Fridays 3p-11p Sat 7a-11p Sund 7a-11p)
Merakey is Hiring Direct Support Professionals!
Merakey, a leading non-profit provider of developmental and behavioral health services, is seeking mission-driven, compassionate, and reliable individuals to join our team in Harrisburg, PA in our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division.
Whether you're an experienced Caregiver, Direct Care Worker, Home Health Aide, or someone looking to start a meaningful career in human services - this is your opportunity. No experience required - we provide paid training!
Key Responsibilities
  • Provide direct care and support with activities of daily living (ADLs)
  • Assist with personal care, hygiene, mobility, and meal preparation
  • Support life skills development, including household tasks and social skills
  • Provide community support, transportation
  • Promote health, safety, and well-being, including medication support (as trained)
  • Complete required documentation, progress notes, and service logs

To see what our current DSP say about working at Merakey, click here......DSP Spotlight Page
To see what it's all about, click here....DSP Position: IDD Services
Why Being a DSP at Merakey is a Great Opportunity:
As a Direct Support Professional (DSP), you'll work alongside a passionate team to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You'll help them build independence, develop social and communication skills, and navigate daily living activities like personal care, housekeeping, and community engagement.
Spend your days making memories - from trips to the park and sensory gardens to helping individuals achieve their personal goals. You'll be a mentor, coach, and advocate.
What Merakey Offers YOU:
We believe in giving back to our team. Merakey provides:
  • DailyPay - access your earnings when you need them
  • Flexible Schedules & Work-Life Balance
  • Health, Dental, Eye, and Ear Benefits
  • Employee Referral Bonuses
  • Care.com Membership
  • Cell Phone Discounts
  • Paid Training & Career Development Opportunities

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!
Ready to make a difference?
Apply today at www.merakey.org/careers to learn more.
  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Must have a Valid Driver's License.

What Merakey employees say

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About Merakey

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Merakey is a leading developmental, behavioral health, and education non-profit provider with a fifty-year history. We offer a breadth of integrated services to individuals and communities across the country. Our belief that every individual has the right to achieve growth, dignity, and fulfillment guides all of our decisions. At Merakey, we care about each other and are committed to providing the very best care to those we serve. Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Industry

Non-profits

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Lafayette Hill, PA, US

Year founded

1960

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