Pros
- Unlike a lot of ABA companies, the scheduling department is pretty nice and accommodating for the most part. - 401(k). - (Limited) tuition reimbursement is available. - Not that difficult to get hired (as with all ABA companies, turnover is rampant and they always seem to be on the lookout for new recruits). - They do not make you complete a drug test. This is a wise move as I believe "seizure medication" is sometimes the key to getting through a session with particularly difficult clients. Let's face it: you're getting spat on, punched, groped, cussed at, working in a messy house that reeks, all for less than what a cashier at Costco makes...sometimes we all need a little something to take the edge off, amirite? I mean, you don't want to be that BI who has a mental breakdown mid-session and jumps out the bathroom window never to return, yeah? - Fairly diverse workforce (in terms of ethnicity, gender not so much). - Sometimes you get gift certificates to grocery stores and tokens of appreciation like that. - There are some truly sweet and kind-hearted people who work here. - Sometimes you will be on a case that no program manager is assigned to due to turnover and whatnot, and I can confidently say that is a true joy to work a case without having to worry about when the program manager may or may not show up unannounced to critique you and justify why you are not deserving of a raise. - They provide BCBA supervision (but also see cons below regarding this....) - They will hold various office and company parties throughout the year (again, also see cons below regarding this). - As long as you are not expecting to make a lot of money or establish any meaningful relationships with co-workers, for the most part management leaves you alone and that is sometimes a nice thing. - Great job for people with limited expenses.
Cons
- Office and company parties: to be fair, this problem I am about to describe is common to all ABA companies. Within a few weeks after training is done, you will feel like a lone pawn who never really gets to know any co-workers. So how awkward is it to show up to a company party where you have no idea who anybody is? Even worse, some of the higher-ranking people probably couldn't pick you out of a lineup which only makes you feel like you matter even less. - Some managers have extremely poor people skills, which is always a head scratcher considering this line of work. Getting reprimanded in front of clients, never receiving praise but only nitpicking criticism about "Why did you have to cancel three sessions these last two months?" and emails brimming with tone and attitude. The turnover rate is above 50%, and the work itself has enough challenges of its own. So the last thing the BIs need are domineering managers who show up maybe once a week to tell you all the things that you are doing wrong. Ironically, the secret to deal with this is more "seizure medication" because it helps you to tune them out, and they really know in their hearts that you are doing a good job and they are merely trying to make it actually seem like they are being productive. Trust me: they won't fire you. This whole field is far too desperate to retain employees. Just smile, nod, and say "I'll try to do better!" - Some of the communication coming from the higher-ups can be a bit off-putting. If somebody did their online training outside of the designated 15 minute time slot, you don't need to go accusing them of time fraud. A little less attitude, please? - Go ahead: just TRY to get full-time status. Even if you clear out your entire schedule exclusively for Easter Seals, they still won't guarantee that you can be full-time. Getting full-time status is on par with finding Atlantis. - Pay tends to be lower here than at other agencies (company rebuttal: "we are a non-profit"). - All cases are home-based, which typically means working only the peak hours of 3PM-8PM. Do the math. You are not going to be bringing home a large paycheck, and you will not have benefits. You will need to work another job to make ends meet.
