Pros
I was a Case Manager at ICAN-B in the San Mateo office. -Very strong ethical requirements and utilization of ABA. -CM's had very high requirements to use empirical, research based methods. CM's needed to be prepared to be challenged by BCBA's anytime they wanted to introduce a new program or behavior modification plan to ensure best practice was being used. Always needed to back-up programs with articles and research based practice. -Opportunities to attend conferences and other professional development. - Open to recommendations or requests to benefit clients, i.e. starting up a Saturday social skills group. -Manageable caseload when reports were not due. (The entire caseload of reports reports seemed to be due within a two month period).
Cons
-Limited hands on BCBA support. In the San Mateo location there was not an onsite BCBA, so it was difficult to feel supported in the applied setting. The BCBA would only come out for a few days once a month or so, any other communication was remote. -Very low pay for the position vs. cost of living for the area. Had to leave because I couldn't afford to live there with a master's degree, was able to find appropriate pay at other companies in the area. -Poor work life balance, was often up until 1am or later writing reports.