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What does a behavioral technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a behavioral technician do

A behavioral technician is responsible for supporting patients to overcome their behavior problems and difficulties. Behavioral technicians evaluate the patient's condition through counseling and administer behavioral treatment plans according to the patients' needs. They also coordinate with other physicians and mental health professionals for medications and more serious medical support as needed. A behavioral technician assists the patients in their daily activities, observe their social and personal behaviors, write progress reports, and develop engaging activities that would help them bring back a healthy lifestyle and growth.

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Behavioral technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real behavioral technician resumes:

  • Manage the behavior of students using the CPI training skills when necessary.
  • Train in CPR and restraint techniques, as well as behavioral training to detect the precursors to behavioral issues.
  • Experience with individuals of all ages affect by autism and other behavioral, developmental or communication disorders
  • Implement behavioral support plans provide and produce by apply behavior analysts for individual consumers diagnose with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Facilitate psycho-social education groups with interventions used but not limit to motivational interviewing, mental rehabilitation and think processes.
  • Provide observation, documentation and communication of patient behavioral and verbal responses /reactions between patients and between patients and staff.
  • Assist patient in becoming accustom to hospital routine and encourage them to participate in social and recreational activities to promote rehabilitation.
  • Assist, to the degree need, with each individual in their daily living including the use of any adaptive devices.
  • Utilize adaptive techniques to formulate different ways of communicating.
  • Assist with functional behavior assessments, VB-MAPP assessments, administering social skills groups, and more.
  • Utilize programs such as ABLLS, AFLLS, and VB-MAPP to assist clients in teaching functional replacement skills.
  • Create and implement individual service plans, maintain confidential files in accordance with licensing and Medicaid standards.
  • Submit timely clinical documentation including daily progress notes, treatment plans and quarterly reports ensuring adherence to Medicaid regulations.
  • Dispense daily psychotropic medications to youth to decrease their psychosis.

Behavioral technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Behavioral Technicians are proficient in Autism, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Behavior Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observational skills, Patience, and Physical stamina.

We break down the percentage of Behavioral Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Autism, 18%

    Provided one-on-one intervention services in general education to clients diagnosed with Autism, behavior disorders, and related developmental disabilities.

  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 13%

    Assisted students with daily tasks using applied behavior analysis techniques and principles and promoted positive changes in student's behavior.

  • Behavior Analysis, 12%

    Perform a functional behavior analysis when needed.

  • CPR, 7%

    Required a CPR, and First Aide Certification.

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder, 5%

    Implemented individualized program utilizing a Discrete Trial Instruction methodology to address behavior goals for young children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

  • Patients, 4%

    Provided observation, documentation and communication of patient behavioral and verbal responses /reactions between patients and between patients and staff.

Most behavioral technicians use their skills in "autism," "applied behavior analysis," and "behavior analysis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential behavioral technician responsibilities here:

Observational skills. The most essential soft skill for a behavioral technician to carry out their responsibilities is observational skills. This skill is important for the role because "psychiatric technicians and aides must watch patients closely and be sensitive to changes in behavior." Additionally, a behavioral technician resume shows how their duties depend on observational skills: "utilized cognitive behavioral techniques through observational behavior analysis. "

Patience. Many behavioral technician duties rely on patience. "working with people who have mental, emotional, or developmental conditions may be challenging," so a behavioral technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways behavioral technician responsibilities rely on patience: "assisted in client s activities of daily living (adl) skills used compassion patience detail oriented"

Physical stamina. behavioral technicians are also known for physical stamina, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to behavioral technician responsibilities, because "psychiatric technicians and aides must lift, move, and sometimes restrain patients." A behavioral technician resume example shows how physical stamina is used in the workplace: "trained and supervised direct care staff in data collection, behavior modification and physical intervention techniques. "

Compassion. For certain behavioral technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "compassion." The day-to-day duties of a behavioral technician rely on this skill, as "psychiatric technicians and aides spend much of their time interacting with patients who have mental, emotional, or developmental conditions." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what behavioral technicians do: "displayed sensitivity, integrity, compassion and respect towards patients and family members. "

Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for behavioral technician responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of behavioral technicians all the time, as "psychiatric technicians and aides may want to develop a rapport with patients in order to properly care for them." An excerpt from a real behavioral technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a behavioral technician does: "displayed effective and appropriate interpersonal relationship skills both in caring for patients and collaborating with other health professionals. "

See the full list of behavioral technician skills

The three companies that hire the most behavioral technicians are:

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Compare different behavioral technicians

Behavioral technician vs. In home therapist

An in-home therapist provides case management, counseling, resource system development, support system development, and crisis intervention services for family members and children. They provide goal-oriented and structured therapy on referral issues for families that help recover from neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or physical abuse. Also, they provide time-limited, goal-oriented, and structured therapy in the families' natural environment for families that need help to recover from neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse.

We looked at the average behavioral technician salary and compared it with the wages of an in home therapist. Generally speaking, in home therapists are paid $18,424 higher than behavioral technicians per year.Even though behavioral technicians and in home therapists are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require autism, applied behavior analysis, and behavior analysis in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, behavioral technician responsibilities require skills like "cpr," "aba therapy," "developmental disabilities," and "kids." Meanwhile a typical in home therapist has skills in areas such as "social work," "community resources," "community agencies," and "group therapy." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

In home therapists earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $52,546. On the other hand, behavioral technicians are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $34,731.in home therapists tend to reach higher levels of education than behavioral technicians. In fact, in home therapists are 34.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Behavioral technician vs. Therapist

A therapist is responsible for improving the patients' health conditions by evaluating their needs and providing physical and mental support. Therapists are licensed, medical professionals who specialize in different areas to perform treatments and bring relief to patients. Some of their duties include diagnosing patient's problems, performing counseling services, monitoring medication progress, customizing therapy activities for pain management, and consulting other health professionals as needed. Therapists must have extensive knowledge with the medical industry to detect patients' conditions easily and provide effective medications.

On average, therapists earn a $22,661 higher salary than behavioral technicians a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Behavioral technicians and therapists both require similar skills like "autism," "applied behavior analysis," and "behavior analysis" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real behavioral technician resumes. While behavioral technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "cpr," "autism spectrum disorder," "bcba," and "aba therapy," therapists use skills like "social work," "group therapy sessions," "community resources," and "therapeutic services."

On average, therapists earn a higher salary than behavioral technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, therapists earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $55,972. Whereas behavioral technicians have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $34,731.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Therapists tend to reach higher levels of education than behavioral technicians. In fact, they're 34.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Behavioral technician vs. Aba therapist

An ABA therapist is responsible for administering treatment plans to patients with behavioral disabilities and intellectual disorders, supporting them through systematic processes, and recording their developmental progress throughout therapy sessions. ABA therapists develop engaging activities for the children, observing their personal and social behaviors, and adjust approach as needed. They also coordinate with other behavior therapists and other medical health professionals for refined strategies that adhere to the child's progress. An ABA therapist must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist patients with different behavioral problems and attend to their needs efficiently.

On average scale, aba therapists bring in higher salaries than behavioral technicians. In fact, they earn a $2,656 higher salary per year.behavioral technicians and aba therapists both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "autism," "applied behavior analysis," and "behavior analysis," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a behavioral technician is likely to be skilled in "mental health," "behavior management," "home health," and "patient care," while a typical aba therapist is skilled in "social work," "dexterity," "adaptive," and "treatment programs."

Aba therapists make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $38,174. On the other hand, behavioral technicians are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $34,731.Most aba therapists achieve a higher degree level compared to behavioral technicians. For example, they're 7.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Behavioral technician vs. Mental health nurse

A mental health nurse is responsible for assisting with the diagnosis and treatment plans of patients with mental health complications. Mental health nurses handle high-quality nursing care under mental health professionals' supervision within a hospital or mental health institution. They support in performing therapeutic activities, administering medical examinations, and counseling patients to know more about their conditions. A mental health nurse also does administrative tasks as needed, such as organizing and updating patients' information on the database, processing treatment payments, and responding to the family's inquiries and concerns.

Mental health nurses tend to earn a higher pay than behavioral technicians by an average of $73,530 per year.According to resumes from behavioral technicians and mental health nurses, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "autism," "cpr," and "patients. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "applied behavior analysis," "behavior analysis," "autism spectrum disorder," and "bcba" are skills that commonly show up on behavioral technician resumes. On the other hand, mental health nurses use skills like psychiatric mental, pmhnp, medication management, and psychiatric services on their resumes.The government industry tends to pay the highest salaries for mental health nurses, with average annual pay of $113,936. Comparatively, the highest behavioral technician annual salary comes from the education industry.mental health nurses reach higher levels of education compared to behavioral technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 10.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of behavioral technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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