In this lesson, we describe the role of the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). This course is designed to help you meet the requirements to become an RBT. It is important to understand what the role of the RBT is within the context of an ABA tiered service-delivery model. Please watch the video below, or alternatively, read the transcript.
Background As noted in our previous less, some of the most important ABA interventions are delivered using a tiered service-delivery model. Within a tiered service-delivery models, ABA services are generally overseen by a master?s (BCBAs) or PhD (BCBA-Ds) level Board Certified Behavior Analysts. The programme may receive mid-level oversight by a bachelors level (BCaBAs) practitioner, and interventions are implemented directly by Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT). Behavior Technicans are sometimes called ABA tutors, ABA technicians, ABA therapists, ABA teaching assistants, ABA support workers or a variety of other associated terms. However, until relatively recently, there was no widely used certification for behaviour technicians. Instead, a variety of different training and competency standards existed. This posed problems for consumers, as they could tell if a behaviour technician had sufficient training to fulfil their role. In 2014, the BACB created the RBT certification. In order to qualify to become an RBT, a person must: 1. Be at least 18 years old 2. Hold a high-school diploma (or equivalent) 3. Pass a Criminal Background Check 4. Complete a 40-hour training programme designed by a BCBA based on the RBT task list 5. Pass an RBT competency test 6. Pass the RBT examOnce certified, an RBT operates under the supervision of a BCBA (or BCaBA in some circumstances) and follow the RBT Ethics Code. This course is designed to help you meet the 40 hour training requirement. Role within the Team The role of the RBT is to implement behavioural interventions and collect data ? not to design their own intervention plans. However, this does not mean that your ideas cannot be used or that your opinions do not matter. You should bring these up with your supervisor during Team Meetings and Supervision sessions. As somebody who delivers interventions directly, you are in a good position to provide input that can inform interventions. However, a BCBA has specialised training that an RBT does not have. For this reason, it is their role to design skills teaching and behaviour reduction plans ? including criteria for judging the effectiveness of the intervention. It is their responsibility to ensure that effective, socially-valid interventions are chosen, that you are appropriately trained to deliver them, to supervise their implementation and to evaluate the outcomes of such interventions. RBT certification assures consumers and other stakeholders that you meet the entry-level requirements for employment as a behaviour technician. |