Hey everyone! I wanted to share my experience as a newly certified RBT during my first week on the job. It's been quite a journey, filled with ups and downs, but overall, it has been incredibly rewarding.

After obtaining my certification about two months ago, I faced some challenges finding a client. The original company I trained with unfortunately couldn't find a match for me and eventually stopped contacting me. I took the initiative to seek out a new company and was honest about my limited experience. They assured me that I would receive proper supervision, which made me feel more confident about taking on my first learner.

During the first week and a half, I had the opportunity to conduct in-home sessions with my learner. I must admit, I felt a bit nervous at first, as it was my first time working directly with a client. However, as time went on, I became more comfortable in my role. The learner has been quite receptive to the activities I have planned so far, which has been a great encouragement for me.

One of the main challenges I've encountered is navigating the Central Reach platform and entering data. Unfortunately, nobody provided me with proper training on how to use it, and it was essentially thrown at me. I'm currently working on familiarizing myself with the system, but any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Additionally, I've been using the games and toys available at the learner's home for our sessions. However, I'm unsure if I should invest in more supplies or if they should be provided to me.

The learner's mother has approached me with various questions, such as the Behavior BIP, whether I'll be able to travel with the learner, and how long I've been working as an RBT. Also commented on my soft spoken nature. While I do my best to answer her inquiries and redirect her to my BCBA supervisor when necessary, I must admit that it sometimes triggers imposter syndrome and makes me feel a bit insecure. However, I remind myself that I'm still learning and growing in this role, and it's okay not to have all the answers right away.

The mother has also expressed her feelings of hopelessness regarding some of the learner's maladaptive behaviors. It truly breaks my heart to see her struggle and worry about her child's future. In these moments, I try my best to provide reassurance without making false promises. It's important to empathize with their concerns and offer support where possible.

On a positive note, the mother recently mentioned that she would like to extend the duration of our sessions each day. This feedback gave me a sense of reassurance and confidence in my ability to make a positive impact.

Overall, I'm really enjoying my experience as an RBT so far. It feels incredibly rewarding to support my learner and witness their progress firsthand. I'm grateful for my new company, as they have been responsive and communicative throughout the process. However, I do find that some aspects of the job can feel rushed at times.

If any seasoned RBTs have some helpful tips or advice to share, I would be immensely grateful. It's always great to learn from those who have been in the field longer and have valuable insights to offer.