What is a provider and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted Expert
Penny Ridenour
introduction image

The term provider, as a paid position, refers to care providers who perform health care services in hospitals or for outpatients during their rehabilitation process. Care providers consult patients and create a diagnosis. They provide medical services and perform procedures, create health care plans, and prescribe medication as needed.

What differentiates a provider from a physician is their level of education, as a health care provider usually works under the supervision of a physician. Providers have significantly fewer responsibilities than physicians do, even though they, too, carry out examinations and write prescriptions.

An associate degree in a field related to medicine will suffice if you are considering this position. Experience in health care is usually preferred, and you might have to obtain a license to be hired by a health care institution.

What general advice would you give to a Provider?

P

Penny Ridenour

Dean of School of Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City

In order to maximize your earnings, flexibility is key to fit the niche the employer needs. Intentionally accept assignments that will allow growth in a specialization. If possible, ask to shadow other professionals proficient in the specialization you desire.
ScoreProviderUS Average
Salary
4.8

Avg. Salary $61,912

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.0

Growth Rate 36%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.14%

Asian 7.90%

Black or African American 9.54%

Hispanic or Latino 26.95%

Unknown 4.32%

White 50.15%

Gender

female 78.11%

male 21.89%

Age - 50
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50
Stress Level
8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.4

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
9.6

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Provider career paths

Key steps to become a provider

  1. Explore provider education requirements

    Most common provider degrees

    Bachelor's

    30.0 %

    High School Diploma

    27.3 %

    Associate

    17.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific provider skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients26.53%
    Healthcare17.55%
    Patient Care13.69%
    Mental Health5.47%
    Customer Service5.13%
  3. Gain additional provider certifications

    Provider certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific provider certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for providers include Medical Assistant and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).

    More About Certifications
  4. Research provider duties and responsibilities

    • Work on achieving goals with child base on yearly ISP reports.
    • Manage provider network to include verifying claims and benefits for healthcare providers/members and insurance companies.
    • Monitor vital signs and medication of patients under the direction of register nurses and physiotherapists.
    • Treat each resident with tender care and compassion.
  5. Prepare your provider resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your provider resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a provider resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Provider Resume templates

    Build a professional Provider resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Provider resume.
    Provider Resume
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  6. Apply for provider jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a provider job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Provider Job

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Average provider salary

The average Provider salary in the United States is $61,912 per year or $30 per hour. Provider salaries range between $36,000 and $104,000 per year.

Average Provider Salary
$61,912 Yearly
$29.77 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do providers rate their job?

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Provider reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2021
Pros

I like helping people and providing for their needs

Cons

The wages are not live-able at all.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Assisting and helping clients meet daily goals of independence.

Cons

The highly mandated hours I had to work due to under staffing.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Learning how they’ve experience life good and bad but they always remained happy. How you can do anything in life if you believe then you can achieve it.

Cons

When they are scared because of experiences they may have encountered from someone else.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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