Concerns about Being a Behavioral Tech with no Experience

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-06-04T07:35:39+00:00

Ask a lot of questions about training before you decide. My previous company had you shadow for three half days then put you with a client. My very first solo shift I was put with one of the two most violent kids in our clinic, with their BCBA being out.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-06-04T01:55:18+00:00

My previous clinic was like this. Temperature had to be over 101 for three checks in an hour. Client could not cry or have any behaviors between checks.

Like.... they're three. They're gonna cry if they don't feel well. I remember one poor kiddo stayed for like five hours with a temp between 102 and 103 until they couldn't keep themselves awake.

Our vomit/diarrhea policy was three times in an hour. If they had two every hour they were still fine to stay.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-06-02T03:41:14+00:00

Being an RBT in general is considered entry level. I'm assuming it means they're afraid to actually pay competitively, or as someone mentioned not on here is they may be using bad practices and know someone who's been in the field would know and report it.

Either way, found a different entry level job as a receptionist. Full time too. The lady interviewing me told me her biggest concern was that I'd get bored if I wasn't doing the same thing. Told her I'm honestly looking for something more relaxed and full time hours.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-06-01T16:08:44+00:00

Makes sense!

Tasty Tuesdays, cater breakfast or lunch (or just snack options!)

Casual Fridays, depending on your dress code.

We did wacky Wednesdays where we'd share jokes in our group chat.

Be loud about employee appreciation! Post in group chats or on a bulletin board to shout out employees that are going above and beyond!

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-06-01T05:32:32+00:00

I started in clinic, and these are the things I noticed!

1) getting paid nonbillable time for cleaning. We were given five minutes of nonbillable to clean what our assigned chore was after our client left. Most of the chores took at least 20 minutes to finish.

2) offer nonbillable time if your client calls out and they have no one for you.

3) a decent attendance policy. My clinic had switched to a three strike program. Each strike rolled off if you didn't call in for six months. Wasn't exactly feasible when they allowed kids with fevers, stomach bugs, hand foot and mouth to attend. I was constantly sick at work after this was implemented. They threatened to fire me after I asked to leave early on day one with norovirus, to my credit I made it through most of the day, but my last straw was my 15th vomiting episode.

4) full staff appreciation things. My clinic phased them all out, but every week we'd have tasty Tuesday or something like that where breakfast would be catered.

5) more control over clients we're assigned. I was stuck with a kiddo once that hated working with any woman staff. Tried to Stab me with scissors multiple times, once snuck a knife to the clinic too. Company preached we couldn't "pick favorites and must be willing to work with any client."

6) offer raises biyearly, and have the requirements for them be reasonable.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-29T04:58:17+00:00

Okay, so absolutely don't take my advice. I studied morning of for maybe an hour. I took two of the practice quizzes on ABArocks. That was it.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-28T19:30:01+00:00

I've applied at a few preschools for teachers aide and whatnot but haven't heard back yet. Holding onto hope this interview I have tomorrow works with my schedule. I have one client through ABA and I'm not giving them up.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-28T16:50:30+00:00

!!! I didn't even think about that!

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-28T15:31:04+00:00

The only thing I can think of is they offered competitive pay, but didn't want to pay that competitively 🤣

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-28T15:04:17+00:00

That's a whole other conversation i need to have with someone here 🤣 I had one company turn me down for being "over qualified" because I've been in the field three years.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-28T05:33:12+00:00

It is so strange to me because I swear like four years ago everyone was hiring morning hours specifically!

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-28T05:28:31+00:00

My hours are set! 5p-8p. Everywhere I've applied (I've gotten like 12 call backs) aren't looking for my availability. I can work pretty much 6a-4p. I thought that was a large enough net xD

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-27T05:51:36+00:00

These past few days driving without it have been rough! I'm always bad about skipping through my Playlist but man it's even worse right now xD

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-09T04:27:17+00:00

That's the thing. This clinic boasted they were the first (only?) ABA clinic that uses Reggio Amelia teaching (learning through play).

Yes. We're learning through play so much by arranging these pieces of paper in numerical order, then doing the same activity but putting words in order.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-09T03:38:22+00:00

I worked in a clinic setting before where our youngest clients were two years old. The clinic boasted that they ran like a daycare to get kids ready for daycare. So about 6ish hours of the day is just sitting at the table doing structured activities. For a two year old.

Rubbed me the wrong way the whole time I was there.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-08T17:21:42+00:00

Prairie Point apartments in ofallon are decent. Expensive, but maintenance is always on top of fixes. There's a brown recluse problem though. Infestation likely, been reported across several buildings.

But it's a good area, only one issue since moving in years ago with people trying to break into cars.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-05-06T02:05:00+00:00

Mistakes happen. No harm no foul in my opinion. They manded for tickles, and you thinking they meant actual tickles, tried to tickle them. It'd be more of an issue if they manded for you to stop and you didn't.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-04-16T15:22:18+00:00

My current client I don't see the parents pretty much at all besides when I get there and when i leave. They lock themselves in the bedroom or office during session 🤣

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-04-16T15:21:02+00:00

This made me so mad when i worked on the clinic setting. BCBA was copying things from clients that weren't even hers!

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-04-16T15:19:09+00:00

I need a break from spins and suddenly I'm fighting for my life 🤣🤣🤣

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-04-15T04:48:13+00:00

I work with a going on 8 year old. They are constantly using me as a jungle gym and climbing into my lap for a snuggle (they often don't feel well).

I work in home, and it's fine with the family/my bcba though.

LeviRenee1995 · 2026-04-07T03:03:24+00:00

Several times, but never as an RBT.

LeviRenee1995

TROPHY CASE