Growth in our respective fields is what keeps any person feeling accomplished and content. Here at Key Autism Services, many opportunities are provided to the clinical staff at all levels, from Behavior Technicians to Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). Let us explore some of those exciting avenues in this blog.
Behavior Technicians (BT)
When a person is hired as a Behavior Technician, they are automatically enrolled in training that covers basic Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) concepts as well as the important expectations of the job. This initial training is the necessary first step to complete before the individual is introduced to the actual job. Once this training is completed, in some States, working on a 40-hour coursework may be essential to become a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). This requirement differs by State and in those States that do not require this requirement, the Behavior Technician is eligible to begin working with clients, under the guidance and supervision of a BCBA.
Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT)
The RBT certification is given by an external entity – the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. This national certification that is obtained by an individual is something that they will carry on with them in their career working as an RBT anywhere. Getting this certification involves a process that includes coursework, a competency assessment, taking an exam, and continued supervision by a BCBA that can be provided by an organization. It is however primarily the responsibility of the individual that they complete the necessary requirements and self-monitor their career to become and maintain themselves as a Registered Behavior Technician.
The 40-hour coursework further prepares a Behavior Technician for strengthening ABA knowledge and understanding in the process of becoming a Registered Behavior Technician. Following the completion of the coursework, they will undergo a competency assessment conducted by a BCBA. Once they pass this assessment, the individual will register with the BACB to begin the RBT application. and then apply to take the RBT exam following the BACB’s guidelines. Once they take the exam and pass it, they receive their Registered Behavior Technician certification, which is registered under the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). They have Ethical codes and supervision requirements that they must abide by, and maintain, and need to get their recertification process fulfilled every year. Continuous supervision with a minimum of 5% of direct therapy hours and documentation of services provided is an essential component in the maintenance of this RBT certification. The renewal of the RBT certification is to be done every year. Though they do not have to retake the exam, they will have to undergo a competency assessment as part of the renewal process.
Some states do not require Behavior Technicians to get this certification to work with families, so the training department at Key Autism Services ensures that they offer and support individuals through the process to get this certification, nonetheless.
Ongoing Training and Supervision
At Key Autism Services, supervision provided by our BCBAs is given anywhere between 10-20% of the direct therapy hours provided to the client. All documentation needs are strictly and rigorously adhered to by the clinical teams. Whether an individual is a Behavior Technician (BT) or Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), this intense amount of supervision, on-the-job training, and documentation is maintained and ensured here at Key Autism Services. BTs and RBTs all have access to quarterly in-person clinical training that is conducted by the Regional and Center Directors within the organization. Additionally, booster training is offered to continually improve, sharpen, and enhance the staff’s clinical skills.
Behavior Analyst Supervisees
Key Autism Services has partnered with several leading Universities that have a master’s program or a bridge program for individuals who want to pursue a career as a Behavior Analyst. Presentations are offered periodically for BTs and RBTs who are in search of the right program for themselves. Different discounts are offered by the universities for Key Autism Services employees. This may differ depending on the university, and the decisions to join a program are to be made by the individual based on what will work best for them.
For RBTs or BTs who successfully enroll in a master’s Program, are actively working at Key Autism Services (KAS), and who go through the induction process by KAS’s BACB Supervision Department, clinical hours supervision is offered as the next step in the process of becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts. These prerequisites must be met before the candidate can be enrolled in the program offered at Key Autism Services. The BACB Supervision department supports, guides, and takes a supervisee through the entire process from training on the job to taking the final BCBA exam. Every supervisee will be assigned to an experienced Program Supervisor who will mentor and guide them in their work, documentation, and supervision requirements as per the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. This guidance is provided until they take their final exam to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
Early Mentoring for Behavior Analyst Supervisees
This unique opportunity is offered to supervisees who are close to completing their supervision hours and on the cusp of preparing to take the final BCBA exam. They gain experience leading clinical teams and strongly support their BCBAs to help prepare them as future BCBAs themselves.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA)
First-year BCBAs are enrolled in the Mentoring program offered here at Key Autism Services. This wonderful program sets Key Autism Services apart from other companies. Fulfilling all the responsibilities as a new BCBA can be daunting and can cause undue stress. Having appropriate guidance in this phase has proven to help build fundamental and essential skills needed to be a confident, ethically sound, and successful BCBA.
Continuous Support and Training Opportunities at Key Autism Services
Every full-time BCBA at Key Autism Services has a budget of $750 to accrue the 32 Continued Education Units needed to maintain their BCBA certification. This certification must be renewed every 2 years.
Key Autism Services is an accredited CEU provider too and provides in-house workshops that offer CEUs to their full-time and part-time BCBAs, as well as to outside professionals as well. In addition to this, continuous training and guidance are frequently provided by the training department to all the BCBAs at Key Autism Services to help build their knowledge and skills. This is widely popular and is received very well by the BCBAs.
In addition to this, Key Autism Services has added a new standard for 2024 that monthly CEUs are offered and will include outside presenters from some of the University Partners that Key Autism Services collaborates with.
If you have not joined Key Autism Services, you are missing a supportive, collaborative, team-oriented, and caring work environment. Join us now!