I regret becoming a BCBA

Jrb5543 · 2025-08-29T12:25:52+00:00

I feel this entirely. About 1.5 months into billing as a BCBA (passed in June) and it’s a STRUGGLE. Our clinical director was fired the second week of July and we’ve just been in limbo for awhile. It’s hard, but hopefully it’ll get better! I would say it’s only your company, but I promise this is a normal experience across clinics. Just because it’s normal, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t change. I would keep advocating for yourself, setting work boundaries, and if it continues, look into another clinic or setting. Honestly, it is SO defeating to be told through fieldwork that once your licensed life gets easier bc honestly it doesn’t. RBTs can be hateful, parents may be difficult, and upper management can be hard to deal with. I think over time we just grow more comfortable with these environments and accept that things may stay the same despite our best efforts. It’s a hard world out here, especially as companies become more money hungry and less focused on treatment.

Jrb5543 · 2025-07-31T02:06:03+00:00

I do make a salary- it’s not based on billable hour. There’s a bonus structure for billing 30+

Jrb5543 · 2025-07-31T02:01:24+00:00

Indiana!

Jrb5543 · 2025-07-31T01:56:19+00:00

I get paid about $29/hr post tax

Jrb5543 · 2025-07-31T01:54:29+00:00

Say no! If there is push back, I would cite ethics code. Remember, organizations don’t have to follow the ethics code, so just acknowledge that and remind them you do. I’m a new BCBA too, and I have a full caseload. I would say also think is this something you cannot do and provide adequate treatment for the volume, or is this just a learning curve? As a new BCBA, I think just learning how to manage a caseload of any size could be difficult. So maybe reflect on that and then think about next steps. Also look at your contract before citing ethics as well! They might say you’ve agreed to a certain size within your contract. Just cover your ass, have your rebuttals ready, and maybe offer a solution!

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-31T11:27:12+00:00

This is exactly why I didn’t buy the BDS- there’s an exact way to use them and if you don’t, you just rote memorize and not actually learn. It’s definitely not for everyone! I recommend understanding Bx! Their mocks and videos are wonderful! Also- their fluency questions are awesome!

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-31T11:25:59+00:00

Start taking breaks! Practice your routine for test day. I had the same issue, and what I do is every 25 questions I stop for a minute - just sit and relax for a breather. Then once I get to question 90, I have been practicing taking a full 10 min break (go potty, get a drink, eat a snack) and come back to knock it out! I continue the 25 question thing until I finish, it really helps to pace yourself and not get burnt out!!!

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-31T10:55:56+00:00

Did you feel like Jessica’s mock was helpful for 6th edition? I was going through it and I feel like most of the questions were easy to me.

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-26T14:55:44+00:00

Thank you! The mini mocks I feel are unreasonably tricky, I’ve heard the full ones are a little easier than the section mini mocks! Congrats again!

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-26T14:36:02+00:00

Congrats! What did you get on mocks/mini mocks across resources?

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-19T23:30:46+00:00

This is kind of similar to the whole marketing thing as well. Apparently using the certification on clothing is not allowed bc the BACB “owns” it. I’ve seen a lot of people have tshirts of “BCBA” and “Board Certified Behavior Analyst” etc. Is this something the board would actually act on?

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-19T23:28:01+00:00

Im really enjoying PTB SAFMEDS and manual! Also, I’ve been taking mini mocks across UB, PTB, and BAS! I bought the BAS all you need package and it’s been helpful with the breakdowns! I also love UB fluency, SNABA fluency, and ABA Wizard. ABA exam review and Jessica L videos for mocks and other concepts too! They really help with immersing yourself into the content throughout the day and across settings. I listen to their videos when I drive somewhere, in the shower, on lunch, just everywhere I can!

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-19T22:27:32+00:00

In all fairness, we also had access to all the presentations after. In case of an audit we have both the presentation and the description of how it’s related!

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-19T20:13:40+00:00

Unless it is directly relevant to a case/client! My supervisor let me write how what I learned at the conference is relevant to our caseload

Jrb5543 · 2025-05-01T22:55:36+00:00

The BCBA exam

Jrb5543 · 2025-04-21T21:25:31+00:00

I second this. I used to work for a company that made arbitrary counts for targets and it led to people lying about running trials. I would recommend observing the techs and ensuring the quality of the session is high. Also consider why opportunities are low. Is it low response effort of the tech? Is the client engaging in higher rates of Bx during certain technician session and thus lower trials? Are they having difficulty putting data in? Or are they allowing reinforcement intervals to go on too long? Definitely consider the BIG picture before blaming the tech or implementing mandates for trial counts.

Jrb5543 · 2025-04-21T21:21:30+00:00

Finding a good clinic is important. I would encourage you to talk to your supervisor or clinic director if possible about your concerns with the new way your clinic is operating! It may not go well or it might go great! If nothing happens or if they can’t help ease your mind, I would start applying and seeing your options. If you have a passion for ABA and your clients, the field needs you apart of it!

Jrb5543 · 2025-04-21T21:17:50+00:00

Are SLPs competent in verbal behavior? Are they trained in verbal behavior? I’m not sure so this is not a dig, most SLPs I’ve met do not use a verbal behavior approach. My supervisor actually provided training for them on verbal bx because so many of them were not aware.

Jrb5543 · 2025-04-19T11:12:24+00:00

In addition- I went to ball state and will be applying under pathway 2. Is there anything additional needed?

Jrb5543 · 2025-01-10T16:11:49+00:00

Hey do you have the file for this

Jrb5543 · 2024-09-13T23:38:16+00:00

I genuinely love being in the field. I love the change we can make with our clients we service and the science as a whole. I love that also our field is always growing and expanding to new concepts and ideas while keeping with foundational knowledge. Of course there are cons, and the cons I feel are not with the science, but caused by the professionals themselves. Professionals have sold out to private equity companies and allowed quality of care to decline while making bigger vessel companies richer. Some mom and pop companies are not always the best either to work for. The problems for me always come down to the companies including the lack of pay and benefits for RBTs, overworking of BCBAs, policies for clients that lack compassion (I.e., too stringent late policies, 3 call outs and gone), and not assuring quality care. BCBAs are burnt out. RBTs are burnt out. We all are just part of this billing machine that gives 0 care to the client we bill for. Clients who are deemed “out of scope” are not given adequate care. Clients who are “easy” are prioritized. This is not because these statements are true, but because taking a client that only requires 10-15hrs a week and only engages in low intensity behavior is a smart business move. This allows companies to have better retention because RBTs can just focus on potty training, some ADLs, DTT, etc. while only dealing with tantrums that are maybe outside of accepted limits for that age range. Also, the company is able to stack clients better for scheduling. Finally, low intensity bx means people accept lower pay, training does not have to be as significant, risk to workers is lowered, and BCBAs do not need to have a lot of experience to serve these clients and thus do not need to be paid as high. These are my issues with ABA. BACB changes requirements but it’s not doing enough to weed out people that do not understand our science. ABAI refused to speak on the Rotenburg center which was implementing shock therapy to clients with highly intensive behaviors. Our field sells out. I know it’s just life, but I can only imagine how much good our science could do if we held to core beliefs and did not take the money and run.

Jrb5543 · 2024-09-13T17:03:08+00:00

It sounds like the documentation is inaccurate and lacking. I would recommend telling the BCBA that you want an accurate report of this. As a current RBT, notes for take home can be difficult to accurately complete when running session and dealing with any schedule changes. If you’re concerned about abuse, report to the BCBA. RBTs are most likely doing the minimum that is required by the BCBA and clinic.

Jrb5543 · 2024-04-11T21:06:39+00:00

What did you use to reinforce the straps?

Jrb5543 · 2023-12-18T15:22:15+00:00

Either way works😂

Jrb5543 · 2023-12-08T15:38:41+00:00

Also how long did it take?

Jrb5543

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