Meeting the Member’s Needs While Starting Consumer Direction

It can take several weeks to months before the member’s care can begin through Consumer Direction.

Before services can start:

  • The member (or their representative) must finish the needed paperwork.

  • They must complete required training.

  • They must find workers to hire.

  • The workers must also complete paperwork and training.

  • The workers must pass a background check.

Before you start looking for a worker, it is a good first step to write a job description.

Sample Job Description:

Personal Assistance services needed for a 35-year-old female with developmental disabilities.

Duties Include: Assistance with bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, toileting (including bowel and bladder care), eating, and range of motion exercises. Accompany into the community as needed. Give medication during hours care is provided.

Education and Experience: No degree required. Prefer someone with experience providing personal assistance services in the home for a person with disabilities.

Salary Range: $10.00 to $12.50 an hour depending on experience.

Hours: 5 hours per day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to noon and some weekend hours.

Other Requirements: The person selected should be prompt, reliable, able to work independently, and have good personal hygiene. The person selected must submit to a criminal background check.

To be a worker in Consumer Direction, a person must meet all of these rules:

  • Be 18 years old or older

  • Cannot be the member’s Representative for Consumer Direction

  • Cannot be the member’s spouse, legal guardian, or Power of Attorney

  • Be able to do all the tasks the member needs help with

  • Be able to work on the schedule the member needs

  • Be able to read, write, follow instructions, and talk with the member

  • Have a valid Social Security number and permission to work in the U.S.

  • Pass a criminal background check, including checks for abuse or being on a sexual offender list

  • Finish all required training, including CPR and First Aid

  • Fill out all the needed paperwork to be a worker in Consumer Direction

  • Sign a Medicaid Agreement and get a Medicaid provider number

  • If the worker will be driving the member, they must have a valid driver’s license and car insurance

Places to consider looking to find workers:

You can find more information about hiring (and firing) workers in the CDTN handbook here: https://www.consumerdirecttn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ECF-CHOICES-Member-Binder-Section-6-Handbook_20250501.pdf