Working as a Behavior Technician?

[taylor925]

Hi everyone!

I'm a level 2 BSN student and I have been applying to CNA or any direct patient care jobs that I qualify for for the summer- although I am not having much luck. I started searching outside of the box as summer is quickly approaching and I now have an interview with Gateway Learning Group tomorrow. It is for a behavior technician position working with autistic children and they would provide the necessary training to become a RBT. My question is, if I am offered the position do you think this would be a good summer job for a nursing student? Or should I hold out and wait for a CNA or other direct-patient care job to potentially come around?

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Unless you intend to become an RN and want to work in a similar related job field as the RBT but as an RN instead, then it would be worth it. Otherwise, not so much. I'm not even sure if that would classify as "medical experience." If you're doing it for some extra cash, by all means. If you are looking for a position to get your foot in the door and/or get medical/hospital experience, I would definitely wait for a CNA/direct patient care job opening. The job itself could provide some good experience in regards to teaching/education and even patience though.

[elkpark]

I've worked over the years with lots of nursing students who were working as psych techs, esp. if they were interested in psychiatric nursing. The kind of "soft skills" you learn in psych jobs can be useful wherever you go in the future. This could be a great opportunity for the summer. It looks like they are a for-profit company, which makes me uncomfortable, but lots of people don't have a problem with that.

Best wishes for your journey!