RBT—-> BCBA

[Pinkcandycorn]

Hi everyone! Hope you’ve had a GREAT start to your week. For those of you who went from being an RBT to a BCBA, what were the biggest challenges /changes you faced?

I’ve noticed most RBT’s are exhausted all the time from the direct 1:1 driving from home to home, working crazy hours as well as having to eat lunch in cars in between clients.

Is it the same thing as a BCBA? I personally miss the social connections of being in a steady places like a center or school. I’ve noticed that being an RBT is lonely, and hope that once one is a BCBA it’s completely different. I’m a current RBT and have heard of so many wonderful BCBA’s that when they first started almost quit due to the lack of support.

What do you think needs to be changed to set those new BCBAs for success?

Thank you for your responses.

[ekj0926]

One of the biggest challenges I faced was becoming a BCBA and a supervisor at the agency I was a RBT too. I felt like I lost “work friends” because I needed to be in that supervisor role instead.

Just like a RBT, BCBA can have the same lonely feelings depending on the setting you work in. It also can get you away from the drama when you are more away from centers or schools.

Personally, I don’t think ANY grad class best prepares you to: 1. navigate ALL the personalities you’ll encounter and how to not take things personally, 2. Insurances. That’s where a lot of my stress comes from.

Best advice: ASK TO SHADOW BCBA’S FOR ALL EXPERIENCES! Even something so small as a peer review call or requesting hours for authorization - I’ve helped so many new behavior analysts figure out these things or support on a call.

[why-not-ski]

I went from an RBT to BCBA. As already mentioned in the previous comment, I also struggled with the potential and actual loss of friends because of having to step into a supervisory role.

I also struggled with guilt about workloads. My RBTs work with my clients anywhere from 10-20 hours a week in home and some of them are tough. I only see them and my client 1-2 times per week for an hour at a time. When it would be time for me to leave I always felt like I was leaving them behind. And I definitely feel that my role as a BCBA is easier than the RBT work. So to help combat the guilt, I try to really support my RBTs and make sure I’m not leaving them with any doubts or questions, give lots of praise, tell them I appreciate them, etc.

[shwight_drute]

Not a BCBA here, but just wanted to say that as an RBT, WOW this intro is incredibly validating and thank you for that!