Registered Behavior Technician

Job Description

Job Description

REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN (RBT)

Job Title: Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

Department: Special Education / Student Services

Reports To: Director of Special Education, Principal, and/or Designee

JOB SUMMARY

The Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) provides direct behavioral support to students within Bledsoe County Schools. The RBT works collaboratively with teachers, special education staff, related service providers, administrators, families, and the supervising behavior analyst to assist students in developing appropriate behavioral, social, communication, and functional skills necessary for success in the educational environment.

The RBT implements behavior intervention strategies and programs developed or approved by qualified professionals and provides services within the scope of the employee's training, certification, and assigned responsibilities. The RBT does not independently develop behavioral treatment plans or make clinical decisions outside the scope of RBT certification.

QUALIFICATIONS

The employee shall:

1. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Postsecondary education in education, psychology, behavioral science, special education, or a related field is preferred.
2. Hold and maintain an active Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), if the position is designated as requiring RBT certification.
3. Complete all training, competency assessments, examinations, supervision, and renewal requirements necessary to maintain RBT certification.
4. Meet all Bledsoe County Schools employment requirements, including required criminal history/background checks.
5. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with children and adolescents, including students with disabilities and students who exhibit challenging behaviors.
6. Possess effective written and verbal communication skills.
7. Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA and other applicable federal and state requirements.
8. Maintain current CPR, First Aid, crisis prevention/intervention, restraint, or other certifications or training when required by the district or assigned position.
9. Meet any additional requirements established by federal law, Tennessee law, Tennessee Department of Education rules, BACB requirements, and Bledsoe County Board of Education policy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The RBT shall:

1. Provide direct behavioral support to assigned students in classrooms and other educational settings under appropriate supervision.
2. Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs), behavior support plans, skill-acquisition programs, and other interventions as directed by the supervising BCBA or other appropriately qualified professional.
3. Follow student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, safety plans, behavior plans, and other educational plans applicable to assigned students.
4. Collect accurate and objective data regarding student behavior, skill acquisition, frequency, duration, antecedents, consequences, progress, and other areas identified by the supervising professional.
5. Maintain accurate records and documentation and provide collected data to the supervising BCBA, teachers, special education staff, and other authorized personnel as appropriate.
6. Assist with the implementation of strategies designed to increase appropriate behaviors, communication, independence, social skills, academic engagement, and other functional skills.
7. Implement reinforcement procedures and other evidence-based behavioral strategies as directed by the supervising professional.
8. Assist students in generalizing appropriate skills across classrooms, school environments, activities, and staff.
9. Observe student behavior and communicate relevant information to the supervising BCBA, teacher, case manager, administrator, or other appropriate personnel.
10. Participate in meetings, consultations, training sessions, and supervision sessions as required.
11. Collaborate professionally with teachers, educational assistants, administrators, school psychologists, related service providers, special education personnel, and other members of the student's educational team.
12. Assist with Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) activities through observation and data collection when directed by a qualified professional. The RBT shall not independently conduct or interpret an FBA or independently develop a BIP unless otherwise legally and professionally qualified to do so.
13. Implement behavioral interventions consistently and with fidelity as designed by the supervising professional.
14. Support students during transitions, classroom instruction, meals, transportation, extracurricular activities, community-based instruction, and other school activities when assigned.
15. Promote student independence and avoid creating unnecessary dependence on adult assistance.
16. Maintain student dignity, privacy, and confidentiality at all times.
17. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students and families.
18. Follow all applicable BACB ethics, supervision, documentation, and professional practice requirements associated with maintaining RBT certification.
19. Immediately report significant behavioral incidents, injuries, safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, or other concerns in accordance with Tennessee law and Bledsoe County Schools policies and procedures.
20. Follow all district procedures and Tennessee requirements governing emergency interventions, restraint, and isolation/seclusion. The employee shall use such procedures only when authorized, appropriately trained, and permitted by law and district policy.
21. Assist students with personal care, mobility, feeding, toileting, or other activities of daily living when such assistance is part of the employee's assigned responsibilities and the student's educational needs.
22. Maintain a safe, orderly, respectful, and supportive educational environment.
23. Follow the direction of the classroom teacher, special education teacher, supervising BCBA, school administrator, and other designated supervisors while remaining within the RBT's permitted scope of practice.
24. Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
25. Participate in district-required professional development and training.
26. Perform other duties reasonably related to the position as assigned by the Director of Schools, Director of Special Education, principal, or designee.

RBT SCOPE OF PRACTICE

The RBT is a paraprofessional who provides behavior-analytic services under appropriate supervision. The RBT shall not independently:

• Design or substantially modify behavior intervention or treatment plans;
• Conduct independent behavioral assessments requiring professional interpretation;
• Make clinical diagnoses;
• Determine special education eligibility;
• Modify a student's IEP or placement;
• Represent themselves as a BCBA, behavior analyst, psychologist, counselor, or other independently licensed professional; or
• Perform duties outside the individual's training, competency, certification, or legally authorized scope of practice.

Questions regarding behavioral programming or clinical decision-making shall be referred to the supervising BCBA or other appropriately qualified professional.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The employee should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of basic principles of applied behavior analysis appropriate to the RBT role;
• Ability to implement behavior plans accurately and consistently;
• Ability to collect and record objective behavioral data;
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions;
• Ability to respond appropriately to challenging or potentially unsafe student behavior;
• Patience, professionalism, dependability, and sound judgment;
• Ability to establish positive working relationships with students and staff;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to accept feedback and implement recommendations from supervisors; and
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary educational team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Depending upon student assignments, duties may include standing and walking for extended periods; sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and lifting; assisting students with mobility or personal care; quickly responding to student behavior or safety concerns; and performing other physical activities necessary to provide appropriate student support.

Specific physical requirements may be established based upon the essential functions of the assignment and applicable law.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in public school environments and may include classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, playgrounds, buses, athletic areas, community-based settings, and other locations where educational services are provided.

The employee may work with students who display aggressive, self-injurious, disruptive, elopement, or other challenging behaviors. Appropriate training and established safety procedures shall be followed.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The employee shall maintain the confidentiality of all student, family, and employee information in accordance with FERPA, IDEA, applicable Tennessee and federal laws, Bledsoe County Board of Education policies, and professional ethical requirements.