Exciting BCBA Jobs: What it’s Like to Work as a Travel BCBA with Hopebridge
June 16, 2023
Traveling BCBAs Embark on the Journey to Make an Impact
Imagine a job where you can maximize your impact while experiencing your own adventures. And with this job, the “where” is a big part of the payoff.
You’ve likely heard of the concept before, either through travel nurses, Teach for America or the Peace Corps, but have you ever thought about becoming a travel BCBA?
When Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) Kaylavictoria Obamwonyi and Alycia Link started with Hopebridge, the idea of combining travel with work was something they had dreamed about, but seeing it come to fruition was a whole other experience.
What it’s Like to Begin the Travel BCBA Journey with Hopebridge
Kaylavictoria Obamwonyi, Hopebridge Travel BCBA
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Fla., Kaylavictoria knew she wanted to spread her wings and leave home but was not sure what that could look like for her. After a brief move to Atlanta, before realizing the job and area was not what she was looking for, she came across the job description for a travel BCBA with Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers.
The role of the travel BCBA is a full-time position at Hopebridge that centers around temporary placements where the need for clinical support is the greatest. She liked that it offered six-month placements, which she says allows her some continuity in life, while still introducing her to new people and locations.
“The job seemed perfect for someone who is not usually adventurous but wants to stick their pinky toe into that world. Being a travel BCBA gives me an opportunity to take a taste of different areas,” said Kaylavictoria.
With three years of experience as a BCBA and a few more years as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) before that, Kaylavictoria took the opportunity to apply to Hopebridge. Now just more than two months into her role as a travel BCBA, she is currently serving in the pediatric therapy center in Fort Myers, Fla.
Though she is still living in the same state as her hometown, she did not know much about the area, which is more than five hours away on the other side of Florida. She is excited to experience a new city while supporting the community.
“Coming in to provide support to this center has been enjoyable for me. From the team to the kids and families, everyone was so welcoming and there’s a good vibe here,” said Kaylavictoria.
Kaylavictoria went through Hopebridge’s BCBA onboarding program feeling competent in her work and ready to go. She has her own caseload, plus supports other BCBAs with their patients and provides supervision for RBTs.
In addition to her regular compensation as a BCBA, mission bonus and travel benefits, Hopebridge also helps Kaylavictoria and other travel BCBAs as they get credentialed across multiple states.
What’s next for Kaylavictoria?
“I look forward to broadening my perspective with a larger company; seeing how I can navigate it all while getting the most out of a lot of different avenues,” said Kaylavictora, who, in addition to being a BCBA, is educated in speech-language pathology, save for completing her fellowship. She is also interested in diagnostics and has completed training to administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) assessment. She looks forward to the opportunities to grow in these areas, as well as in her role as a BCBA, due to Hopebridge 360 Care, which includes diagnostic and outpatient services.
“For those considering the travel BCBA role, I recommend being ready to exercise your flexibility skills. That’s a big part of the role, which is new for me, but it’s a muscle I knew I needed to work on and am having fun with it!”
Personally, she looks forward to exploring her current home, alongside her chihuahua, whose name is “Gabriella, but her friends call her Gabby,” according to Kaylavictoria! So far, she really likes Izzy’s Fish & Oyster and Cabos Cantina Taco & Tequila Bar in downtown Fort Myers, and she planning a trip to Naples, Fla. Though she doesn’t know where she will end up during her next placement, Arizona is high on her wish list.
Building a Career and a Better World as a Travel BCBA
Though Alycia only started in the traveling BCBA position six months ago, it has already taken her places—literally.
“When our regional BCBA, Chris, sent me the job for the travel BCBA, I said, ‘This is it! It’s exactly what I described to you!’ It felt like my dream job just popped out of the universe,” said Alycia. “It offered the best of both worlds: the ability to be immersed in the culture and collaboration in center, as well as the flexibility to travel.”
Alycia started in the Hopebridge clinic in High Point, NC for her first six-month assignment, but also had the chance to help in the therapy center in Apex, NC. Next up is Mesa, AZ.
“I’m pretty flexible, so if you need me there, I’m going there,” said Alycia. “I want to make an impact on the deepest level, which often means being sent to newer centers that don’t yet have BCBAs or supporting those who are just starting out in order to help create a steady base for our families.”
Since starting in this role, Alycia has trained BCBAs who are new to Hopebridge, which she says opened the door for two-way teaching opportunities and collaboration.
“In a short time, I’ve gotten to grow much more as a BCBA because I get to meet so many compassionate people, hear about their goals and aspirations, and see a wider variety of perspectives,” said Alycia.
Hopebridge’s travel BCBA position offers short-term missions, high-quality benefits, the ability to maximize impact in areas where it’s needed most and accelerates leadership opportunities within the community. Alycia’s responsibilities have included initial evaluations, program design, oversight for patients in emerging centers, leading teams of RBTs on her own caseload, supporting ongoing training for RBTs and BCBAs, and direct connections to caregivers through family guidance sessions. All the while, she has a team supporting her along the way.
Memories Made as a Traveling BCBA
Through these placements, Alycia has used her off hours and weekends to visit Crowders Mountain, Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, Pilot Mountain, Asheville, Carowinds amusement park and a handful of other hiking spots.
Her husband, who works remotely, joins her on this journey, as do her cat and two dogs. She even has a harness for her cat and a backpack for when he gets tired along their hikes! Together, they have taken up new hobbies like rock climbing and scuba diving.
“I’m never bored. Every weekend we find something new to do. I know I won’t be in this place forever, which makes every day we spend here a gift,” said Alycia. “I get to explore while still making an impact during the week.”
Both of Alycia’s placements have already made an impact on centers’ patients, families and teams, as well as on her own personal and professional life.
At High Point, she worked with a patient who started therapy with a high amount of challenging behaviors, including severe self-injury, aggression and hour-long tantrums, which often took the place of more functional communication. In a short amount of time, this child has made a tremendous amount of progress and reduced the amount of each of these behaviors significantly, which has allowed him to experience more joy and new activities.
“When he started, I never saw him smile. Now he walks around grinning and is starting to talk. It’s made such a difference for him,” said Alycia.
When thinking of her time at Apex, the team around her is what sticks out in Alycia’s mind. She felt “blessed” to help others stay motivated and realize they are continuing to make a positive difference. It’s there that she realized she felt pride not only through the growth of her patients, but also that of the RBTs.
“Even though I was only in Apex temporarily, it felt difficult for me to leave. I loved seeing all the growth and passionate people we have in this company. I couldn’t say it aloud or I’d cry, so I wrote all the RBTs, BCBAs and the center manager a letter about how much I appreciated them and their strengths. I’m sure it will be similar when I leave High Point soon,” said Alycia.
Create Your Own Journey with a BCBA Job at Hopebridge
“I know I can make a bigger impact by traveling. I know that wherever I go, I’ve set it up for success and made sure they can maintain it. Then, I get to transition somewhere else and do it all over again,” said Alycia.
Do you want to journey around the United States – or the world – while making a positive difference?
Like Kaylavictoria and Alycia, the ideal candidate for this position is mission-oriented and ambitious with entrepreneurial energy. A travel BCBA is energized by change and nomadic patterns. They are leaders and are flexible yet also thrive in creating structure.
Using their own experiences, here are some of the potential pros and cons our travel BCBAs recommend candidates keep in mind when considering pursuing a job as a travel BCBA:
Considering the Pros and Cons of Being a Travel BCBA
The travel BCBA position is not the only way to spread your wings while working at Hopebridge. A number of our team members have taken their skills and service across borders through the Global Autism Project (GAP). We applaud and support our clinicians who seek to help others make significant change by following the need to other countries, as well as appreciate the newfound education they bring back to us and their colleagues through their travels.
If Kaylavictoria’s and Alycia’s stories inspire you to make your own mark on the autism world while discovering part of your purpose through travel, we encourage you to check out our open positions at Hopebridge. We want you to join us on the mission to ensure that all children have access to the life-changing services they deserve.
*Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this article. This information should not be captured and reused without express permission from Hopebridge, LLC.