New BCBA Career Pathway Program Promotes Ongoing Skill Acquisition and Leadership Opportunities

Behavior Analysts Expand Upon Clinical Competencies and Career Growth with Hopebridge

Getting a promotion is exciting. From the new responsibilities and increase in professional skills, to the praise and LinkedIn updates, the ability to learn and grow into a new role is something much of the workforce seeks to find in a job.

Now, with Hopebridge’s new Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Career Pathway program, a BCBA promotion means even more than a fancy new title. It’s the proven mastery of skills. It’s the feeling of being valued. It’s a clear step toward a bigger picture. It’s clinical quality. It’s but one stop on a lifelong career journey.

“At Hopebridge, we are always looking for ways to invest in the growth and development of our team members,” said Hopebridge Chief Clinical Officer Jana Sarno. “We believe that by offering these new BCBA career path roles, we are not only supporting the advancement of our team members’ careers but also elevating the quality of services we provide to our clients.”

What does the BCBA Career Path Look Like at Hopebridge?

The new opportunities at Hopebridge aim to advance career growth and development for our talented professionals, while also enhancing the quality of services we provide to our patients. 

“As part of our commitment to provide the best possible care to children and families affected by autism, we recognize the critical role that BCBAs play in achieving this goal,” said Hopebridge CEO David McIntosh. “That’s why we are excited to offer new career path opportunities that will enable our BCBAs to take on more specialized roles and responsibilities, while simultaneously providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed.”

The new BCBA career path roles at Hopebridge include:

• Lead BCBA
• Senior BCBA
• Assistant Clinical Director
• Clinical Director
• Senior Clinical Director

In addition to our regional BCBA (RBCBA) position, these roles provide BCBAs with opportunities for increased leadership, professional development and the ability to shape and influence the future of autism therapy. 

Through this program, we offer a bridge from one position to the next, with clear guidelines and resources to get there. It ensures experience and expertise are rewarded as clinicians chart their path through skill-based competency lists, self-guided learning modules, self-assessments, observation, industry literature and more resources to help them reach the next level.

“We want our BCBAs to love their jobs and be fulfilled in the work they do for a really long time. If we put people in positions too early, their joy and success is compromised. We want them to walk hand in hand with us to get to the next level with skills that will sustain them throughout a meaningful career,” said Jana.

What the New Roles Mean for Hopebridge Therapy Teams and Families

These new roles support the increasing desire and motivation growth and development that is evident within the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), as well as across industries throughout the workforce.

“About 60% of the country’s BCBAs have been practicing 5 years or less. This generation of BCBAs is made up of go-getters looking for growth and development in their roles,” said Jana. “They want to enhance their skillsets and move forward in their careers, but may not know how to get to that next destination. The goal of this new program at Hopebridge is to lay a clear path forward so BCBAs know what is required and can prepare to get to their next step in a meaningful way.”

In addition to benefitting the BCBAs who will take part in these learning competencies and achieve these goals, Hopebridge’s Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) will also indirectly benefit from this program, as it will provide additional layers of support and ensure clinical quality. Research shows that “only half of early career BCBAs have access to ongoing supervision, despite [most] wanting some form of supervision and ongoing support in their early career years,” and this new BCBA pathway will provide continued supervision and mentorship to clinicians at all levels.

New Pathway Complements Hopebridge’s Broader BCBA Experience

For nearly two decades, Hopebridge has proudly provided aspiring and seasoned clinicians with opportunities to learn and grow in their careers through professional development, research opportunities and mentorship. Hopebridge intends for the program to complement the broader BCBA experience that includes free continuing education hours (CEU), conference presentations, grand rounds and research participation, among other training opportunities.

The new BCBA career path roles also join the multitude of professional development and career advancement initiatives that Hopebridge has implemented over the years, such as the industry-leading BCBA fellowship program, LEAD, Next Step Academy, and the RBT leveling program. By encouraging advancement at all levels, Hopebridge moves forward with the goal of nurturing and strengthening a workforce of compassionate and driven advocates for autism communities around the country.  

Hopebridge has a strong commitment to providing evidence-based therapy services for children and families affected by autism. With the introduction of these new BCBA career path roles, we are taking a major step forward in advancing the field of autism therapy and supporting the continued growth and development of our team members. 

We invite all BCBAs who are passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children and families affected by autism to consider joining our team and exploring the exciting new career path opportunities available at Hopebridge. 

*Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this article. This information should not be captured and reused without express permission from Hopebridge, LLC.