Behavioral Health Technician

Behavioral Health Technician Position Summary

Provides support to the therapeutic milieu under the direction of the registered nurse by ensuring scheduled programs are delivered, supervising patients, maintaining safety, and treating patients and guests with dignity.

Essential Functions

• Observe and maintain a safe environment through regular patient checks, safety monitoring, contraband searches, and one‑on‑one supervision as needed.
• Perform delegated tasks such as taking vital signs, collecting specimens, documenting care, assisting with group education, and monitoring patients.
• Promote a positive therapeutic milieu and accompany patients to meals, breaks, off‑unit visits, and appointments.
• Report all medical or psychiatric changes to the RN and assist with admissions, including belongings inventory and vital signs.
• Document patient property at admission and discharge and conduct unit safety checks each shift to ensure a clean, therapeutic environment.
• Encourage or assist patients with activities of daily living and facilitate or co‑facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic groups using established guidelines.
• Apply crisis intervention and de‑escalation techniques as needed and maintain knowledge of program protocols.
• Orient new staff members to the unit, document in the medical record according to policy, provide feedback to the interdisciplinary team, comply with OSHA and CDC specimen guidelines, and perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

• Reports to: Chief Nursing Officer
• FLSA Status: Non‑exempt
• Works in a psychiatric hospital setting providing care across shifts and populations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Education: High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience: Previous experience in a psychiatric health‑care facility with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric, or geriatric patients preferred.
• Certifications: CPR and de‑escalation certification required within 30 days of hire.