Job Description

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) serves a vital role in providing a safe, therapeutic environment for patients receiving treatment for mental‐health and/or substance‐use disorders. Working under the supervision of licensed clinical staff and nursing leaders, the BHT actively supports patient care by observing behaviors, assisting with daily living activities, leading or co‐facilitating group therapeutic and life-skills sessions, and ensuring the facility’s standards for safety, dignity and recovery are met.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain safety and therapeutic environment by conducting routine patient checks, monitoring behavior, performing contraband searches, and providing one‐on‐one supervision when needed.
  

• Assist nursing staff with delegated tasks: taking vital signs, collecting specimens, documenting patient activity, and participating in group education or recreation programs.
  

• Facilitate and/or co‐facilitate therapeutic, psychoeducational or life‐skills groups, and accompany patients to meals, off-unit activities, appointments or breaks.
  

• Observe and document any changes in patient condition (physical, psychiatric or substance‐use related), report to nursing staff/clinical team, and assist with admissions/discharges, belongings inventory and room checks.
  

• Promote a positive, recovery-oriented milieu: engage patients respectfully, model appropriate behavior, encourage participation in treatment activities and support peer interactions.
  

• Participate in team meetings, training (including crisis prevention/de‐escalation, CPR, CPI), and contribute to process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.
  

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required; some college or related credential preferred.
  

• Previous experience working in a behavioral‐health, psychiatric, substance‐use or related facility preferred.
  

• Must obtain certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or similar de-escalation training (often required within first 30 days of hire).
  

• Excellent interpersonal skills, crisis‐intervention ability, and strong observational and documentation skills.
  

• Must be at least 21 years old (in some roles) and able to pass required background/criminal checks.
  

• Commitment to working flexible schedules including nights, weekends and holidays (12-hour shifts).
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on shift/experience and subject to shift differentials for nights or weekends.
  

• Comprehensive benefits for full-time employees, typically including medical, dental, vision, PTO, tuition reimbursement, 401(k) plan.
  

• Structured orientation and on-going training program in a nationally recognised behavioral-health organisation with mission-driven culture.
  

• Opportunity to work in a high-impact role: supporting individuals facing acute mental-health or substance-use challenges in a provider that emphasises “Making Communities Healthier®
  

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