Behavioral Health Technician - Nights

About the role

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by performing routinely assigned tasks and carrying out patient care activities within the scope of the BHT's training and experience. The BHT will maintain a safe and professional standard for patient care in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and performance improvement standards.

Responsibilities

• Continually monitors and supports compliance within unit rules
• Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed
• Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks
• Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in-services to keep self-informed
• Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel; performs vital signs, weights, ADL, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse
• Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings; assists at-risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed
• Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific, disability, cultural sensitivity needs of the patient
• Communicates and documents patient observation related to behavior and location and date effectively
• Includes accurate documentation of nutritional intake, weights, liquid intake, vital signs, and output appropriately on the observation form
• Communicates outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner; communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities; incomplete assignments, ongoing activities and current patient needs to relevant staff to assure continuality of care
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned

Requirements

Education / Experience: High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) preferred, but not required, unless hired in the following states after January 1, 2026: Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania or as required by the state regulations. Current CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Skills & Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Must work well with diverse populations
• Must be able to utilize Age, Disability and Cultural Specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients
• Must be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth and potentiality of clients and hold a high sense of personal integrity
• Must be able to work under close supervision
• Must successfully complete Basic Life Savings (BLS) course and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program

Work Environment

• Subject to many interruptions
• Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries
• This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere
• This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior
• Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage (Multiple Plan Options) - Eligible first of the month after 30 days
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Discretionary Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Daily Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Competitive Market Compensation
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program