Routines to Help You as a New BCBA
1. Have an opening routine
Dedicate the first 10, 15, or 30 minutes of your work day to building momentum within your practice.
Set aside specific time to answer emails, respond to text messages from therapists, and write down a tentative schedule for the day. Your opening routine should include tasks that will help set you up for a successful, productive day.
Your opening routine tasks don't have to be work related either. Read a chapter of your favorite book, spend some time in prayer, or enjoy your favorite caffeinated drink while scrolling through Instagram. Just remember to set a time limit so you don't lose track of the morning!
2. Have a closing routine
Similar to an opening routine, a closing routine will help you wrap up loose ends and prepare for the next day.
Creat a checklist or a task analysis on what needs to be done before you consider yourself done with work. A closing routine may include sending any last emails for the day, submitting all service notes for your supervision sessions, and cleaning off the surface of your desk and/or the inside of your car truck (especially helpful for traveling and in-home BCBAs). Closing routines may also include writing future you a checklist to complete during your next opening routine.
When you are done, you are done. Use your closing routine as a way to leave work at work and establish a healthy work-life balance.
Need to Organize Your Clinical Work?
Visit the Behavioral Basics shop for digital organizational trackers to help streamline your time, from the moment you start your day to when you clock out.
3. Write down a task analysis (TA) for difficult or hard-to-remember tasks
When I started out as a BCBA, one of my mentors had given me TAs for how to condict supervision and doing an initial assessment for a new client. It helped tremendously and gave me the direction I needed to avoid drowning my first year.
Don't be afraid to write a TA for anything you need, whether you need a TA for things to accomplish during supervision or scoring the Vineland-3 (and I understand it's a doozy, so I wouldn't blame you for needing a TA for this assessment)!
4. Establish a lunchtime routine
One of the great things about being a BCBA is enjoying the flexibility of creating your own schedule. However, it can be easy to drive yourself into your work and forget about pausing ming enough to eat and enjoy your lunch.
Do not skip this part of your day! You are working so incredibly hard day in and day out, and your body needs food and rest in order to avoid burnout and fatigue.
5. Record all personal and professional accomplishments
Record personal accomplishments to help encourage you throughout your career. ABA can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining and it's not uncommon to struggle during your first year. Whether it's a compliment from a parent or a milestone a client achieved because of your programming, write it down to remember. Just remember, no PHI!
Record professional accomplishments so you remember all you've done throughout the years. This comes especially in handy during annual reviews when you're negotiating your raise...
