What Does a Registered Behavior Technician Do?
Registered Behavior Technicians typically work for healthcare facilities in the mental health sector to monitor a patient’s response to behavioral therapy and treatments. They work closely with other mental health professionals, Physicians and Nurses to administer patient medications and record their reactions to treatments they receive. Their job is to sit in on counseling sessions, ask patients about how they feel and speak with senior mental health professionals when plans don’t seem to have a significant impact on their current behaviors.
They may also be responsible for communicating directly with the patient’s family members to help them understand their loved one’s treatment and how to support them best when at home.
Registered Behavior Technician Skills and Qualifications
A successful Registered Behavior Technician needs various technical and interpersonal skills to excel in this role. First, these professionals need to complete years of education and training to develop skills related to areas like psychology and social work. This also covers things like collecting data and conducting interviews. Second, Registered Behavior Technicians need various people skills to help them communicate and connect with patients. This includes skills like:
- Communication skills
- The ability to empathize with patients and their family members
- The ability to remain professional in high-stress situations
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Listening and reasoning skills
Registered Behavior Technician Salary Expectations
The average hourly pay for a Registered Behavior Technician is $17.25 per hour. The amount an employee in this field can earn depends on several factors, including the candidate’s years of experience, whether the position is entry-level or higher and whether the position involves any type of management responsibilities.
Registered Behavior Technician Education and Training Requirements
Registered Behavior Technicians must complete a bachelor’s degree in a related area, such as psychology, social work or psychology. To become a Registered Behavior Technician, students must complete 40+ hours of related classes. Next, candidates must complete testing—both a competency assessment and the Registered Behavior Technician exam.
Registered Behavior Technician Experience Requirements
After completing the required education and training minimum requirements, a person can find entry-level work as a Behavioral Health Technician. In fact, some companies hire candidates while they’re still pursuing their bachelor’s degree. Employers may also ask that applicants have prior experience working with the company’s targeted demographic (i.e., young children or people with disabilities). Finally, employers may prioritize candidates who have completed behavior analysis training at a clinic or school.
Job Description Samples for Similar Positions
Registered Behavior Technicians play an important role for any company that offers behavioral health services. Their skill set overlaps with many other professionals who play a role in behavioral analysis and psychology. To ensure you’re covering all the relevant skills you’d like to include in your job posting, it may be helpful to expand your research and look at job description samples for a few similar roles: