Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)At — Butterfly Effects

A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) provides direct, one-on-one ABA therapy under the supervision of a BCBA, implementing behavior intervention plans to build communication, social, and daily living skills while reducing challenging behaviors.

Task:

Students placed in the RBT role will engage primarily in professional and pre-professional duties that align with ABA clinical practice and support achievement of learning outcomes. Duties will include:

Implementing individualized behavior intervention plans and skill acquisition programs under BCBA supervision

Delivering one-to-one ABA therapy using evidence-based teaching strategies (e.g., DTT, NET, prompting, reinforcement)

Collecting, recording, and graphing behavioral data with accuracy and consistency

Assisting with preference assessments and functional behavior assessment components as directed

Following and supporting behavior reduction protocols, including antecedent strategies and reinforcement systems

Participating in supervision sessions, performance feedback, and competency evaluations

Communicating professionally with supervisors and caregivers regarding session goals and progress (within scope of practice)

Maintaining detailed session documentation and adhering to ethical and confidentiality standards

Preparing materials and organizing the therapy environment to support instructional objectives

Reflecting on performance and incorporating feedback to improve clinical skills

These duties are predominantly professional in nature, require applied clinical judgment, and provide hands-on experience consistent with pre-professional training in applied behavior analysis, meeting the requirements for awarding college credit.

Training:

During this placement, student will receive RBT-specific training aligned with BACB standards. Training will include job shadowing and direct modeling of ABA procedures, followed by guided practice implementing behavior intervention plans with ongoing feedback. Student will participate in regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings with a supervising BCBA or designated mentor to review performance, data collection, and professional development goals. Additional learning opportunities will review of training materials and literature, competency checks, and exposure to a comprehensive data collection platform. Assigned tasks will be clearly contextualized within clinical goals to support skill acquisition, ethical practice, and readiness for professional practice as an RBT.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to implement behavior intervention plans with fidelity under the supervision of a BCBA. The student will accurately collect and record data on client behavior using approved measurement systems. The student will demonstrate effective use of evidence-based teaching strategies during one-to-one sessions. The student will maintain professional and ethical standards in all client interactions. The student will collaborate appropriately with supervisors, caregivers, and team members to support client progress.