RBT Jobs in Colorado

Apply to Work as a Behavior Technician

What is an RBT?

An RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) is a type of therapist who works with people with developmental delays to help them improve their behavior. ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. An ABA therapist is a more general term that includes different types of professionals in the field depending on their level of training and certification, such as BCaBAs (Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts), RBTs, or BCBAs.
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Behavior Technician jobs involve working directly with clients and implementing behavior intervention plans (BIPs) that are created by a BCBA or BCaBA. While RBTs, unlike BCBAs, don’t make the treatment plans, they play an important role in carrying out the plans and providing therapy. They work closely with their supervisors to ensure the treatment is effective, providing feedback and data to adjust or refine the behavior programs as needed.
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In short, an ABA therapist refers to a variety of professionals working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). An RBT is a specific type of ABA therapist who performs one-on-one therapy with clients under supervision.

What Does a Registered Behavior Technician Do, What is Included in the RBT Job Description?

RBT jobs involve working with individuals, often children, who have autism or other developmental disorders, using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques to help reduce unwanted behaviors and encourage positive ones by teaching new skills. For example, a child might have difficulty communicating their needs, which can lead to frustration and behavioral outbursts. The RBT would focus on teaching communication skills, like using pictures, and gestures, or putting together simple sentences, to help the child express themselves more effectively.

An RBT provides direct therapy, working one-on-one with clients either at home or in school. They use a variety of techniques to teach new skills and help clients manage their behaviors.
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The following are some techniques that an RBT might employ when working with a client.

Positive Reinforcement involves rewarding a desired behavior to encourage it to happen more often. For example, if a child follows a direction or completes a task, the RBT might give praise or a small reward, such as a sticker or a favorite activity.

Prompting involves giving hints or cues to help a child complete a task or behavior. Prompts can be verbal (telling the child what to do), physical (guiding the child’s hand), or visual (showing them a picture or demonstration). The goal is to support the child in learning a skill or completing a task, intending to reduce prompts as the child gradually becomes more independent.

Modeling involves demonstrating a behavior or skill for the child so they can imitate it. For example, the RBT might show the child how to greet someone with a handshake or say “please” and “thank you.” The child then watches and practices the behavior themselves. Modeling provides a clear example to help the child learn new skills.
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These techniques are used to teach a variety of skills, such as communication (e.g., using pictures or simple sentences to express needs), social skills (e.g., learning how to greet others or take turns), and self-care tasks (e.g., washing hands or getting dressed), or a combination of all three.

A behavioral technician is also responsible for tracking and recording the client’s progress, noting any changes in behavior and skill development to make sure the treatment plan is working. They check if the child is making progress at the right pace, and if not, figure out why that is and what can be done to help.

How Does the RBT Training Work?

To apply for an RBT job, you need to complete specific RBT training steps. The first step involves completing a 40-hour training program that covers the basics of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This training typically includes topics like behavior principles, data collection, and teaching strategies. The course can be completed online or in person through approved providers.
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The RBT Competency Assessment and Exam
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After completing the training, you’ll need to demonstrate your skills and knowledge by passing the RBT competency assessment. This assessment is conducted by a BCBA (Board-Certified Behavior Analyst) or BCaBA (Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst), who will evaluate your ability to apply what you’ve learned in real-life scenarios.

Once you’ve passed the competency assessment, you’ll need to pass the RBT exam. The exam is a multiple-choice test that covers the material you learned in the 40-hour training course, and it assesses your understanding of ABA principles and how to apply them in therapy settings.

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Find an RBT Job

After becoming certified, you can apply for a job as a behavior technician. Initially, you will work under the supervision of a BCBA or BCaBA. You’ll also need to complete continuing education to maintain your certification and stay up to date with best practices in the field.
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To join the team at A New Start ABA, we prefer candidates to have at least one year of experience working as a Behavior Technician (BT) or in a similar role that involves direct work with clients, implementing behavior plans, and supporting therapy. While this is not strictly required, it is preferred as it demonstrates hands-on experience in the field. Additionally, we prefer candidates to have one year of experience working with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques. ABA is the primary therapeutic approach used by RBTs, so prior experience with techniques such as positive reinforcement, behavior tracking, and skill development is a plus when applying for our behavioral technician jobs.

Am I Suited for a Career as a Registered Behavior Technician?

Part of being successful in any role is about having it align with our strengths so that we can bring our passion and enthusiasm to the job. If you’re considering a career as an RBT, here are seven questions that you can ask yourself to help determine whether an RBT job might be right for you:

1. Do you enjoy working with people, especially children with developmental disabilities?
As an RBT, you will work directly with children on the autism spectrum. If you find fulfillment in helping others, particularly those who may face challenges in learning or socializing, this aspect of the job can be especially rewarding. You’ll have the chance to make a real, positive impact on their lives by helping them develop essential skills like communication, social interaction, and self-regulation.

2. Are you patient and empathetic?
Patience and empathy are crucial for this role. You’ll often work with children who may display challenging behaviors or struggle to learn new skills, and sometimes, you might have to teach a child a certain skill many times until they fully grasp it. Being understanding and compassionate will help you connect with your clients and support their growth.
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RBT taking notes on client progress

3. Are you detail-oriented and organized?
Being well-prepared is key. You’ll need to plan for each session by understanding the goals and gathering any necessary materials ahead of time. Additionally, RBTs are responsible for tracking and recording the progress of the children they work with to ensure treatment plans are effective and goals are being met. This requires you to pay careful attention to detail to make sure all data is accurate, organized, and up-to-date, especially when working with multiple clients.

4. Do you have strong communication skills?
‍As an RBT, effective communication is essential for success in your role. You will work with a variety of people, including the children you assist, their families, teachers, and your supervisors. Some people may have a better understanding of autism, while others may be less familiar with it or with your specific role. Each group may require a different approach to communication, so being adaptable is important. You will need to explain the interventions you’re using and provide feedback in a way that is clear, simple, and easy for each person to understand.
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‍5. Are you open to learning and receiving feedback?
The role of an RBT requires ongoing learning and professional development. You’ll be working under the supervision of a BCBA (Board-Certified Behavior Analyst) and will need to take feedback well to improve your skills and effectiveness in the role.

6. Are you adaptable and comfortable working in different environments and with a variety of clients, each with unique needs and challenges?
Every client is unique, and some may have behaviors or challenges that are easier to address than others. You may need to interact with different clients in different ways based on their individual needs. The environment in which you work can also affect how easy or difficult your job is. For example, working in a quiet home environment may be easier than working in a busy, noisy school setting, where distractions can make it harder to focus and engage the client. Being adaptable is key to handling these differences.

7. Do you have an interest in behavior analysis and therapy techniques?
An important part of being an RBT is understanding and applying behavior analysis techniques. If you find the science behind how behavior works fascinating and enjoy using these techniques to make a real difference in people’s lives, this role can be both rewarding and impactful. If you’re still unsure whether or not to embark on RBT training, there are ways to explore this career path further. You might consider gaining hands-on experience through internships, volunteer opportunities, or shadowing current RBTs to get a better sense of the day-to-day responsibilities. Talking to professionals already in the field can also provide insight into the challenges and rewards of the job, helping you make a more informed decision about whether becoming an RBT aligns with your personal and professional goals.
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