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. 2023 Jul 12;17(1):199-211.
doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00823-y. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Professional Skills for Behavior Analysts: A Survey on the Proficiency and Importance of Hard and Soft Skills

Landon S Cowan  1 , Tiffany Kodak  1
Affiliations

Professional Skills for Behavior Analysts: A Survey on the Proficiency and Importance of Hard and Soft Skills

Landon S Cowan et al. Behav Anal Pract. .

Abstract

Individuals seeking certification as board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) require training in both hard and professional (soft) skills. Trainees seeking certification complete coursework, supervised fieldwork experience, and a BCBA exam that assesses mastery of hard skills. However, training and mastery of soft skills is not as defined. BCBAs are also expected to maintain these skills throughout their career. Previous research has shown that soft skills are viewed as important by clients and their caregivers but are not consistently demonstrated from those providing services. Research also suggests that BCBA trainees may not consistently receive training on soft skills. The current study presents the results of a survey distributed to individuals who supervise BCBAs on the proficiency of hard and soft skills demonstrated by their supervisees. The results suggest future directions for the research and training of soft skills for current and future BCBAs.

Keywords: Advancement practices; Graduate training; Professional skills; Promotion; Soft skills; Training practices.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of InterestThe authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr. Tiffany Kodak is on the editorial board for Behavior Analysis in Practice.

References

    1. Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2017). BCBA task list (5th ed.).
    1. Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2018). Supervision training curriculum outline (2.0).
    1. Behavior Analyst Certification Board . Ethics code for behavior analysts. 2020.
    1. Behavior Analyst Certification Board . Board certified behavior analyst handbook. 2022.
    1. Dolev D, Naamati-Schneider L, Meirovich A. Making soft skills a part of the curriculum of healthcare studies. In: Firstenberg MS, Stawicki SP, editors. Medical education for the 21stcentury (ch. 13) 2021.

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