ABA Therapist job description.
An ABA Therapist delivers one-on-one applied behavior analysis therapy to clients, typically children with autism, under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. They implement individualized treatment plans, collect behavioral data, and support skill-building across home, school, or clinical settings.
The ABA Therapist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: ABA Therapist Reports to: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
An ABA Therapist delivers one-on-one applied behavior analysis therapy to clients, typically children with autism, under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. They implement individualized treatment plans, collect behavioral data, and support skill-building across home, school, or clinical settings.
- Implement individualized ABA treatment plans developed by the supervising BCBA
- Deliver one-on-one therapy sessions focused on behavioral and skill goals
- Collect and record accurate behavioral data during each session
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Implement individualized ABA treatment plans developed by the supervising BCBA
- Deliver one-on-one therapy sessions focused on behavioral and skill goals
- Collect and record accurate behavioral data during each session
- Use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behaviors
- Communicate session progress and concerns to the supervising BCBA
- Support clients with communication, social, and daily living skills
- Follow crisis and de-escalation protocols for challenging behaviors
- Maintain a safe, structured, and engaging therapy environment
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Current certification (e.g., RBT) as required by state and employer
- High school diploma; Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field preferred
- Completion of ABA-specific training hours as required by certifying body
- Strong patience, observation, and communication skills
- Prior experience working with children with autism or developmental disabilities
- Coursework or degree in psychology, education, or behavioral science
- Bilingual communication skills
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the ABA Therapist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this ABA Therapist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What certification does an ABA therapist need?
- Most employers require Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification or equivalent as required by state and employer, along with completion of supervised training hours.
- Do ABA therapists work independently or under supervision?
- ABA therapists deliver direct sessions but work under the ongoing supervision and treatment planning of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs and oversees applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs for individuals with autism or other developmental needs.
Behavior Technician
A behavior technician implements individualized behavior intervention plans under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), typically working with individuals with autism or developmental disabilities.
Behavioral Health Technician
A Behavioral Health Technician provides direct support to individuals receiving mental health or substance use treatment, assisting with daily activities, monitoring behavior, and reinforcing treatment plans developed by clinical staff.
This ABA Therapist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.