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Join our program for recent college graduates!

Postbaccalaureate 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 recent college graduates who want to find out whether a career in behavioral health is right for them- before committing to graduate school.

Interns will learn our compassionate, trauma-informed approach to the treatment of developmental disabilities while exploring a career in pediatric healthcare. Those who enroll in graduate school during or following their internship will receive preferential consideration for our Graduate Intern program.

One year of 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 completing or have completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology, biology, neuroscience, education, human development, or a related field
• Can commit to the internship full time (40 hours per week) for a minimum of 1 year
• Have reliable transportation and can commute to client sites in Arlington, Alexandria, and eastern Fairfax County, Virginia
• Are interested in pursuing a career 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 find meaning in small moments of progress
• Are comfortable in unfamiliar settings. You will work in family homes, schools, and community settings, often with caregivers watching closely

Interns will receive:

• A base salary of $30,000 for full-time work
• Billable hour bonuses up to $5,000 per year
• RBT training and exam fee
• 2 weeks of flexible paid time off per year
• An additional 13 paid holidays, including 3 days off at Thanksgiving and 5 days off at Christmas
• 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
• Cohort-based learning alongside peers and graduate students, including collaboration sessions, team meals, and professional development presentations
• Strong letters of recommendation for graduate school
• Preferential consideration for our Graduate Intern program if you enroll in a qualifying graduate program during or following your internship

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 if not already scheduled with a client
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Participate in fidelity assessments
  • Complete trainings in crisis de-escalation and management, challenging behavior, play-based therapy, verbal behavior, and professionalism

Physical requirements:

• 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