Behavioral Technician

About the Role

Under the direct supervision of the Unit Charge Nurse, the Behavioral Technician helps maintain a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for individuals in mental health crisis. This role requires emotional sensitivity, adaptability, and proactive behavioral observation. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, the technician monitors individuals, assists with daily activities, and responds compassionately to behavioral changes. The ideal candidate is empathetic, person-centered, and thrives in dynamic settings.

Schedule

This is a full-time position consisting of three (3) 12-hour shifts per week. Available schedules include:

• Day Shift: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM
• Night Shift: 7:00 PM - 7:30 AM

This position requires working every other weekend.

Responsibilities

• Assist Nursing staff with duties as directed, including patient supervision, vitals, room searches, and patient searches.
• Recognize, respond to, and assist in crisis situations, providing interventions as necessary.
• Deliver indirect and selected direct patient care as directed by facility leadership.
• Conduct intake processes, searches of belongings and patients, and complete BACs and drug screen observations.
• Monitor patient activity and document any significant patient issues.
• Record rounds and ensure patient safety as specified in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Conduct regular facility and grounds checks, advising facility leadership of any irregularities or safety concerns.
• Notify and report any health and safety issues, significant patient concerns, and out-of-the-ordinary occurrences to facility leadership immediately.
• Complete all documentation requirements prior to the end of the shift.
• Perform basic housekeeping duties.
• Facilitate and lead daily groups as directed by facility leadership, if applicable.
• Attend all staff meetings and in-service trainings.
• Complete all online training, policy verification, and ensure the employee HR file is kept up to date.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; Associate degree or higher preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• BLS certification.
• Completion of Recipient Rights and WELLE training.
• Completion of agency-specific onboarding and crisis intervention training.
• Ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care and recovery coaching.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a crisis, hospital, or school environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Electronic Health Record systems.
• Customer service experience.
• Experience in crisis de-escalation.
• Experience working with adults with severe mental illness, substance use disorder, or intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Experience working with children with serious emotional disturbance.
• Background in recovery-oriented or trauma-informed care environments.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• De-escalation and conflict resolution abilities.
• Clinical knowledge of mental health and suicide prevention.
• Strong time management and ability to remain calm in high-stress situations.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving needs and schedules.
• High emotional intelligence and empathy.
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making abilities.

Knowledge Requirements

• HIPAA regulations.
• Microsoft 365.
• Recipient Rights and Mental Health Code.
• Medicaid Manual and regulatory compliance.

Core Competencies

• Integrity/Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization; demonstrating loyalty to the organization and its mission and values; maintaining social, ethical, and organizational norms.
• Customer Focus: Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships.
• Continuous Learning: Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job.
• Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks.
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

Additional Information

• Must be available for meetings and events which may occur outside of standard office hours.
• Work is performed primarily in a crisis center environment.
• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.