What is a Behavior Technician?
What Does a Behavior Technician Do?
I went back to school during the pandemic. I'm older than the traditional student, and when I ended a 5-year relationship last year, I was having a hard time and needed something to look forward to. It occurred to me that I could study abroad! I love Italy and was looking forward to traveling there again, so it felt like the perfect fit when I saw the program at the American University of Rome. (UAR)
Required Skills and Qualifications
Working as a BT allows you to develop the soft skills (communication, empathy) and hard skills (data collection, intervention) needed for the role. You'll refine these skills by interacting with diverse individuals across different environments and cognitive abilities. While engaging in sensitive conversations is often required, maintaining professionalism and positivity helps build client trust and rapport.
BTs work directly with clients to implement behavior plans designed by a BCBA, while a BCBA is responsible for conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and supervising BTs. Learn more about BCBAs.
The time it takes to become a certified behavior technician (RBT) can vary, but it typically takes several weeks to a few months to complete the requirements, which include a 40-hour training course, a competency assessment, and a background check. This does not include education requirements.
A behavior technician's working hours vary significantly but typically fall between 20 and 40 hours per week. The exact schedule often depends on client needs and can include a mix of daytime, evening, and weekend sessions.
Check out job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and specialized ABA job boards. Attend conferences and connect with local ABA providers. Search career pages of ABA organizations.