Before taking the competency assessment and written examination for certification, Registered Behavior Technicians go through rigorous training under close supervision of other Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) professionals.
RBT training covers all tasks included in the RBT Task List (2nd edition), published by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). The Task List is a valuable resource that highlights various concepts that the RBT must be familiar with in order to provide effective, high-quality services.
Therapeutic Pathways is proud to be a BACB-authorized provider for RBT training. We work hard to help trainees feel supported throughout the process. Keep reading to learn what will be expected of you as an RBT-in-training and how you can excel in the program.
Therapeutic Pathways’ Unique Training Program
Our RBT training program is special for a number of reasons that we’d like to share with you:
Authorized Provider
Unlike many other autism treatment centers, Therapeutic Pathways is approved by the BACB to provide RBT training, meaning we’ve also been approved to create our own training sequence. In their training, most other ABA centers simply purchase a 40-hour program online, which is just a series of videos that trainees watch. This method may give trainees the information they need, but it’s missing the crucial application piece that’s built into our training process at Therapeutic Pathways.
We tailor training to match different learning styles, allowing trainees to focus on fully understanding concepts and applying them to client trainings, not just regurgitating the material in order to pass the competency exam.
Our approach allows staff to have a greater skillset and to work with clients independently more quickly.
Hands-On Training
Hands-on experience is arguably the most important part of an RBT training program. At Therapeutic Pathways, we utilize a variety of hands-on approaches to ensure that staff members are able to implement concepts both on paper for the exam and in person for real life scenarios.
Training at Therapeutic Pathways is broken up into a “hybrid sequence,” meaning trainees go through a combination of module-based learning (traditional textbook-style learning) and hands-on training that relates the topics together. Trainees go through a series of modules on a certain topic, then they engage in hands-on training. Then they go through another learning module, then another session of hands-on training. The hands-on training sessions are done in a simulated environment (practicing on an adult who is acting as a client). This method directly mirrors the requirements of the RBT competency exam, so trainees are getting a leg up on their exam preparations.
Hands-on training allows us to take control of training conditions and to create all possible avenues for learning. This approach also ensures that we don’t take any time away from clients.
The actual training process will look something like this: A member of the staff development team goes through a guided script, referencing past modules for the trainee’s recollection. The trainee answers discussion questions about the topic, then conducts hands-on training to get a complete understanding of the concept at hand.
The hands-on method utilized by Therapeutic Pathways is focused on ensuring that trainees are able to generalize concepts they learned throughout the training process so they can actually work independently with clients; it’s a logical last step before taking the RBT competency exam.
Most trainees enjoy hands-on training the most. It’s a very interactive process with trainees actively moving around and demonstrating techniques.
Different Learning Styles
We understand that everyone learns differently, so we implement different learning style techniques in our RBT training. For example, some modules are primarily visual where trainees are reading and filling in items in a workbook. Others are visual and auditory where they watch a video and listen to the interactions.
Kinetic learners are also in luck: hands-on training allows them to fully grasp important concepts while being comfortable and confident in their learning style.
Feedback
Training is futile without constructive, detailed feedback. At the end of each training session, our supervisors provide trainees with feedback on what they did well and what they didn’t do as well. If the opportunity for improvement is a quick fix, we’ll go over it, try again, and help the trainee advance to the next session. If we go over it again and the trainee is still not meeting several criteria, we might remove them from the training group and train them independently so as to keep up the rest of the group’s pace; allowing us to provide the trainee with additional training opportunities.
But we don’t just give feedback to trainees — we encourage trainees to give feedback to us. We understand that RBT training goes over a copious amount of information in a short period of time, so we’ll pause whenever we can and make sure all trainees are comfortable and confident in the procedures that they’re implementing. At Therapeutic Pathways, no one trains alone.
Start Your Training Today
We would love to help you reach your goal of being an RBT! For more information on RBT training contact Therapeutic Pathways at (209) 422-3280, or if you are interested in applying for an open position, check out our online job board.