A Day in the Life of an RBT
Making a Difference Through Care and Compassion WRITTEN by Amy Wolcott, M.S. CCC-SLP
At TPP, we have the best jobs. On a daily basis, our “work” might include playing on swings, blowing bubbles, and reading with our friends. Most importantly, we get to watch as kids meet life-changing goals that once seemed impossible. This month, we’re featuring our amazing Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) who make a difference in little lives every day!
What is an RBT?Registered Behavior Technicians are professionals trained to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy under the direction of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). RBTs work with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders to implement behavior plans and support the acquisition of educational, social, and communication-based skills.
At TPP, our amazing team of RBTs provides ABA services at our Autism & Neurodevelopmental Center and supports students at our alternative placement site.
What does an RBT do every day? RBTs implement behavior plans written by our BCBAs. This involves modeling and supporting desired behaviors, providing reinforcement, and collecting data to document progress and inform ongoing treatment. RBTs are an important part of a service delivery team that may include BCBAs, special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, and dietitians. The work RBTs do is professional and research-based, but to an outside observer it often looks like play.
On a daily basis I work on client programming, explained TPP RBT Kris Mazurek
Some days, I’m working with a child to learn to identify numbers and letters by looking at flashcards or going on scavenger hunts. Other days I am working on social goals, which can be as simple as encouraging a child to ask another child to play, or playing board games with students. We constantly work to connect with our learners. This can look like talking with the learner, coloring with them, dance parties, or reenacting scenes from Bluey. No day is ever the same!”
What is the most rewarding part of being an RBT?Our RBTs overwhelmingly agree that their work is rewarded in lots of different ways on a daily basis. We thought we’d let you hear some of the most rewarding things about being an RBT, in their words!
I love that I get to make a difference and be a voice for kiddos who can’t! And to provide knowledge of the skills needed to better their life day to day!” – Brittany Jolley
My biggest success was hearing one of the learners I work with reading sentences on their own!” – Kris Mazurek
I love getting to see the growth in the kids. One of my biggest successes was helping a student use an outlet other than hitting.” – Ruthie Cox
I was able to see a kid I regularly work with improve on his goals!” – Hailey Thompson
I get to make a difference in each child’s life—providing them with a safe place where they can learn and grow!” – Rachel Millam
A client used their augmentative & alternative communication device for the first time when we were naturally playing with bubbles. I was monitoring what the device was used for and he went and did it all by himself for the first time!” – Mikayla Sponder
How do you become an RBT? RBTs complete a 40-hour certification course designed to prepare them to provide high-quality support services. But you don’t have to wait to start making a big difference! At TPP, we provide the opportunity to receive on-the-job training as a behavioral technician (BT) while completing your RBT certification! Visit our career page and apply today!
For more information about TPP’s services or career opportunities, call us at (660)219-9176 (Clinton) or (660)219-9381 (Knob Noster) today.