Behavior Analyst Intern

Salary: Starting at $20.00/hour

About Thrive Behavior Centers

Thrive Behavior Centers is a locally owned company, founded in 2020. We value the hard work our RBTs do every day. We offer RBTs the support they need to teach life-changing skills to kids with autism and give them the respect and reinforcement they deserve. Why just work... when you can Thrive?

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Benefits

• Competitive pay, starting at $19 per hour for certified RBTs - based on experience.
• 10 Days of Paid Time-Off & 11 Paid Holidays - including one paid week off at Christmas.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance benefit package.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan & Financial Wellness Resources.
• Quarterly Attendance Incentive - up to $2,000 per year based on attendance trends.
• Bonusly Rewards - staff recognition that can be redeemed for gift cards and more.

Thrive Behavior Centers Staff Reinforcement

At Thrive Behavior Centers we believe in providing quality reinforcement for our team members' hard work. Here are some ways we help our team Thrive!

• Quarterly company sponsored staff outings for team building.
• Appreciation events - contests, dress-up days, and free catered lunches monthly.
• Collaborative work environment focused on our clients and their families.
• All necessary technology to provide the best care for our clients.
• Management that is responsive and supportive.
• Opportunities to grow professionally as our company grows.

Job Description

The Thrive Behavior Centers Behavior Analyst Internship position is designed to help future behavior analysts hone the skills needed to provide effective, compassionate ABA therapy to Thrive Behavior Centers’ clients.

The Behavior Analyst Internship is a leadership position. The Behavior Analyst Intern will work directly under a qualified BCBA. The intern should also serve as a model of appropriate professional behavior and demonstrate the core values, policies, and procedures of Thrive Behavior Centers. Thrive Behavior Centers does not guarantee the completion of BACB eligible supervision experience hours solely through the completion of job duties. Some, but not all job duties will fall within scope of the BACBs experience standards. It is the Behavior Analyst Intern’s responsibility to accurately record and provide documentation of all BACB experience supervision-related activities to Intern’s supervisor. Thrive Behavior Centers (TBC) Behavior Analyst Interns also perform the duties of the Behavior Technician. All employees who provide direct ABA therapy to clients (under the ongoing supervision of a BCBA) are also classified as Behavior Technicians (BTs), though obtaining and/or maintaining the Registered Behavior Technician certification is a requirement for the position (see education/certification requirements below), and BA Interns may have additional responsibilities.

Job Duties

• While all BTs work under the ongoing supervision of a BCBA, BTs primarily work with clients one-on-one in private therapy rooms (except for scheduled BCBA supervision). BTs are expected to implement ABA therapy programs as directed to clients (young children with autism between the ages of 2-8 years of age) throughout the duration of the client’s session.
  • Must have the ability to implement therapeutic programs directly to clients with autism using ABA strategies and techniques as written, discussed and/or demonstrated by BCBA on a continuous basis.
  • Must continuously monitor the client throughout the session and intervene as needed and directed to ensure the client’s safety and wellbeing when in the clinical environment.
  • Must be able to administer behavioral interventions, and/or implement programs and/or protocols throughout the client’s session as directed for clients who may have significant communication deficits (“non-verbal” or unable to express themselves), medical needs, and/or maladaptive behaviors which may pose a serious safety risk to the client and/or others including but not limited to physical aggression to others, self-injurious behavior, elopement, PICA.
  • Must demonstrate the ability to build and maintain rapport with their clients by pairing themselves with reinforcement.
  • Must be engaged with the client throughout the duration of the client’s session, continuously interacting with client through therapeutic interventions and/or protocols, modeling verbal behavior, expanding of reinforcers, and building and maintaining rapport. BT should continuously engage with clients regardless of scheduled activities, and set up learning opportunities throughout daily activities, including but not limited to mealtimes, physical activity opportunities on playsets, trampolines, etc.
  • Must always respect client dignity through appropriate language and actions (both in and out of the client’s presence), taking responsibility for the direction and tone of the sessions (avoiding blaming the client) and treating the client’s family with respect.
• BTs must regularly demonstrate ABA therapeutic competency and an ability to implement written and verbal instructions and respond appropriately to feedback. This may be demonstrated through the following:
  • Application of ABA techniques, strategies, and client programs during supervision sessions with a BCBA.
  • Pass any competency assessments as required by supervisor.
  • Appropriately accept and immediately implement feedback from supervisors.
  • Accurately and efficiently collect data throughout sessions using Central Reach clinical management software.
  • Maintain current understanding of all relevant client programs and protocols.
  • Demonstrate therapeutic skills as instructed via modeling, verbal and/or written communication consistently with clients.
• Other duties include but are not limited to the following:
  • Assist clients with physical needs and personal care, including lifting (up to 50 lbs.), positioning, feeding, toileting, and personal hygiene.
  • Appropriately and effectively communicate verbally and in writing with colleagues, supervisors and client families as needed.
  • Implement all safety protocols and procedures as indicated by Thrive Behavior Centers staff.
  • Uphold ethical standards and all Thrive Behavior Centers' policies and procedures, including but not limited to the BACB ethics code, client confidentiality requirements, and mandated reporting standards.
  • Independently track supervision requirements and other documentation and actions needed to maintain RBT certification. 
  • Work in a fast-paced, potentially stressful environment while remaining patient and calm with a positive attitude toward coworkers and clients.
  • Create complete and accurate session notes for each therapy session.
  • Create daily notes for parents regarding therapeutic activities and personal care information regarding the client’s session.
• BTs may also be required to engage in additional tasks assigned by supervisor including, but not limited to creating materials, engaging in tasks that help keep the center clean, organized and functioning, training other technicians, and/or assisting technicians or supervisors with client care.
• Observe, assist and/or engage in the following activities under the direction and supervision of and as deemed appropriate by Clinical Supervisor:
  • Assessment and evaluation of new and existing clients
  • Apply behavior analytic principles and strategies to clients
  • Explain, model, and give feedback to behavior technicians regarding behavior analytic techniques, principles, programs, and strategies
  • Demonstrate understanding process of supervision of behavior technicians and strategies for effective training and staff development
  • Education and training of clients’ parents or guardians
  • Development of treatment and behavior intervention plans
  • Ongoing analysis of graphical data
  • Ongoing assessment of client progress via observation
  • Create and modify programs and protocols based on client’s progress or lack of progress
  • Creation of reports on client progress for stakeholders including parents, professionals, and payors
  • Demonstrate understanding of requirements of payors, and how to advocate for clients’ medically necessary care
• Assist the Chief Clinical Officer, Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor(s) in additional tasks to help facilitate the operation of centers including:
  • Coordinate training and directly training new hires in cooperation with colleagues
    • Implement of training protocols and techniques as directed by BCBA
    • Practice research-based training techniques such as Behavior Skills Training (BST) when training new hires or providing ongoing training.
    • Evaluate progress of new hires using data collection procedures
    • Model appropriate session behavior, including TBC clinical strategies
    • Establish self as a resource and role model for incoming employees including but not limited to the following:
      • Model positive attitudes, solution focused thinking and TBC core values.
      • Model appropriate communication and interactions behaviors colleagues, leadership team, clients, and their families
      • Model ethical standards in accordance with the BACB and TBC company policies
    • Communicate with clinical supervisor regarding trainee’s progress
      • Alert supervisor to any concerns regarding trainees’ progress
      • Provide follow up training opportunities as assigned by Clinical Supervisor
    • Facilitate center operations as directed by clinical supervisor or other member of leadership team. These are not behavior analytic activities but are an important part of the behavior analyst intern role and should be prioritized. Tasks include but are not limited to the following:
      • Create arts and crafts or other activities as assigned to enhance client experiences.
      • Respond to requests for assistance from Behavior Technicians via walkie talkie, message or other communication method.
      • Respond to center doorbell
      • Communicate via walkie talkie appropriately and effectively
      • Ensure the completion (and assist with the completion) of daily center tasks (cleaning and organization)
      • Assist with the cutting, laminating, etc. of client materials
      • Assist other technicians with client pick up, drop off and ensure all clients are picked up and dropped off on time based on their session start and end times.
      • In the absence of another member of the leadership team
        • Assist in the opening and closing of the center including but not limited to locking/unlocking center, checking thermostats, and setting alarm.
        • Seek assistance from a designated member of the leadership in emergencies, crises, or other situations in the absence of a clinical supervisor.
      • Complete all tasks as assigned (on time) and be prepared for all meetings, training of new hires and demonstrate an eagerness to learn.
      • Demonstrate appropriate work ethic by engaging in the following behaviors:
        • Modeling exceptional attendance and punctuality
        • Remaining continuously engaged in assigned tasks throughout billable sessions and non-billable administrative time.
        • Show initiative in independently taking on tasks, overcoming challenges, developing creative solutions to problems, and independently researching and learning applicable skills related to behavior analysis and other assigned duties.
        • Assist others with a positive, team-oriented demeanor.
      • Work in cooperation with the clinical team and fellow BA interns and other colleagues to ensure all assigned tasks are completed.
      • Always demonstrate and model appropriate communication skills and professional demeanor, especially regarding colleagues, clients, leadership team, parents, visitors, etc.
      • Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements For Participation

• Must be enrolled in or have completed a BACB® accredited Masters' program
• Must have and maintain current RBT certification.
  • Failure to maintain RBT certification could result in termination of employment.
  • RBTs are required to alert their supervisor in writing six weeks prior to certification expiration.
  • RBTs are required to uphold the ethical and supervision standards of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
• Must have CPR/AED or BLS certification.
  • The course taken must be accredited by the American Heart Association and include an in-person skill demonstration. Any other forms of CPR certification do not meet this requirement.