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Join our part-time internship program for current college students!

Undergraduate Interns are temporary employees who work as Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) under the supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). This internship is designed for college students who are interested in behavioral health and considering graduate school.

Interns will learn our compassionate, trauma-informed approach to the treatment of developmental disabilities while exploring a career in pediatric therapy. Those who enroll in graduate school for applied behavior analysis (ABA) following their internship will receive preferential consideration for our Graduate Intern program. Those who choose a different path will still receive strong recommendation letters and references.

Hands-on clinical work is one of the best ways to figure out which direction is right for you: whether that’s becoming a BCBA, a licensed psychologist or counselor, a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist, a pediatrician, or another helping professional.

You are eligible to apply if you:

• Are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in psychology, biology, neuroscience, education, human development, or a related field
• Can commit to the internship for at least 10 hours per week for a minimum of 1 year
• Are available to work during after school hours (approximately 3pm to 7pm) on at least 2 days per week
• Have reliable transportation and can commute to client sites in Arlington, Alexandria, and eastern Fairfax County, Virginia
• Are considering career options related to behavioral health, special education, clinical psychology, counseling, social work, or pediatrics
• Would like to learn evidence-based, applied behavior analysis (ABA) strategies for improving children’s social and communication skills
• Are curious about child development, autism, and developmental disabilities, and drawn to family-centered care
• Are interested in becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
• Are warm, patient, and friendly in your interactions with others
• Are playful; willing to be silly, get on a child’s level, and celebrate small moments of progress
• Are prepared to support children who may display challenging behavior, including aggression, with training and BCBA support
• Are comfortable in unfamiliar settings, including family homes, schools, and community environments, often with caregivers watching closely

Interns will receive:

• $20 per hour worked
• Billable hour bonuses up to $5,000 per year
• RBT training and exam fee covered
• Opportunity to accrue up to 2 weeks of flexible paid time off per year
• Individualized and frequent supervision in client sessions and staff meetings
• Diverse clinical experiences with regard to clients’ ages, cultures, settings, and support needs
• Training in naturalistic, play-based, and family-centered ABA
• A structured curriculum with readings, frequent feedback, and measurable milestones
• Learning alongside peers, postbaccalaureate interns, and graduate student interns, including collaboration sessions, team meals, and professional development presentations
• Strong references or letters of recommendation for graduate school or employment
• Preferential consideration for our Graduate Intern program if you enroll in a qualifying graduate program during or following your internship. Please note that the internship does not guarantee future employment.

Responsibilities:

• Direct Work with Clients and Families
  • Conduct sessions of 97153 Treatment by Protocol: teach social and communication skills to clients based on BCBA’s protocols
  • Fill in for others who call out, as your schedule allows
  • Collect data and write session notes within Hi Rasmus software
• Assessments
  • Conduct sessions of 97152 Supporting Assessment: assist BCBA with observations, interviews, and skills assessments
  • Assist with writing progress reports
• Communication
  • Collaborate with client’s daycare, preschool, or school staff (if applicable)
  • Keep a to-do list and complete or delegate tasks in a timely manner
  • Update Patterson Behavior calendar when scheduling client meetings, include location and guests
  • Respond to client and employee emails within approximately 1 business day
  • Use Google Chat or phone call to communicate with employees about time-sensitive issues
  • Inform supervisor of client cancellations
  • Inform supervisor and reschedule any appointments you must cancel
  • Inform supervisor immediately of notable incidents (injury, illness, inappropriate caretaker behavior, etc.)
  • Inform supervisor if families are not meeting their responsibilities (cancelling meetings, not implementing outside sessions, etc.)
  • Resolve misunderstandings and disagreements or escalate to supervisor
  • Direct concerns about scheduling, assignments, or workload to your supervisor
  • Communicate in a manner that is friendly, prompt, and effective
• Materials
  • Keep Patterson Behavior iPad or other electronic device(s) charged for sessions
  • Communicate to supervisor when materials are needed
  • Return unneeded materials to supervisor
  • Label Patterson Behavior materials to avoid loss
• Professional Development
  • Complete a 90-day introductory period to learn our clinical and professional expectations, and for us to assess whether the role is a good fit for you.
  • Complete readings and assignments related to crisis de-escalation and management, challenging behavior, play-based therapy, verbal behavior, professionalism, etc.
  • Gain and maintain RBT certification
  • Monitor your own progress toward your professional goals
  • Assist with project(s) related to your professional interests
  • Participate in other interns’ projects
  • Attend supervision and team meetings for each client
  • Participate in fidelity assessments to ensure accurate implementation

Physical requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation):

• Mobility and posture
  • Ability to frequently stand, walk, sit, kneel, crouch, crawl, and bend to engage with children at their level and to facilitate activities
  • Ability to engage in physical play games with children (run, chase, swing, dance, climb, etc.)
  • Ability to frequently sit on the floor or child-sized furniture
• Strength and endurance
  • Capable of lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, including assisting children with mobility challenges or transferring them as needed
  • Sufficient stamina to actively engage with children during instructional, play-based, and therapy activities throughout the day
  • Prepared to safely lift or hold children when necessary, following established behavior intervention plans, to ensure the safety of all individuals
• Manual dexterity
  • Proficient in using hands and fingers to operate instructional materials, technology devices, and to assist children with fine motor tasks
  • Fine motor skills for writing and for manipulating objects used in teaching or therapy sessions
• Sensory abilities
  • Adequate vision and hearing to monitor children’s activities, respond to their needs, and communicate effectively
• Environmental adaptability
  • Comfortable working in various settings including homes, classrooms, playgrounds, and community environments, which may involve exposure to different weather conditions and noise levels
  • Ability to move quickly and respond effectively in emergency or safety-related situations
• Transportation
  • Reliable means of transportation to travel between different work sites

To apply

Send your resume to Ally Patterson, PhD, BCBA-D via email at ally@pattersonbehavior.com