A Mental Health or Psychiatric Technician cares for patients with mental illnesses. Works under the direction of a physician and works with specialists involved in mental health care, such as psychiatrists and therapists. Monitors patient symptoms and administers medications. Works in a mental health facility or in a hospital or other healthcare facility.
Behavioral Health Technician (overnight/Weekends) Simply Serene Detox and Recovery Mesa, AZ Job Details Part-time | Full-time $21 - $23 an hour 9 hours ago Benefits Paid time off Qualifications CPR Certification Teamwork Interpersonal skills Incident Escalation High school diploma or GED Motivational interviewing Clinical confidentiality policies Full Job Description Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)
Job Description Position:
Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)
Department:
Behavioral Health /
Clinical Operations Reports To:
Clinical Director / Operations Manager / Nursing Leadership, as applicable
Location:
Mesa, Arizona Schedule:
Full-Time, Part-Time, or PRN | Day and Night Shifts Position Summary The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) provides direct, non-clinical support and supervision to clients receiving detoxification and recovery services at Simply Serene Detox & Recovery Center. The BHT plays an important role in maintaining a safe, structured, supportive, and recovery-focused environment. The BHT works closely with nursing, medical providers, clinical staff, case management, admissions, and operations to monitor client safety, support daily programming, document observations, assist with activities of daily living, and promptly communicate changes in a client's condition or behavior to appropriate clinical personnel. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The Behavioral Health Technician will: Maintain appropriate observation and supervision of clients according to facility policy and assigned level of observation. Complete and accurately document required client rounds and safety checks. Immediately notify nursing staff of changes in a client's physical condition, mental status, withdrawal symptoms, behavior, or overall presentation. Promptly report medical emergencies, suicidal statements or behaviors, threats of harm, falls, seizures, unusual behavior, suspected contraband, or other safety concerns. Assist nursing staff with obtaining vital signs or other non-clinical tasks when trained, competent, permitted by facility policy, and within the BHT's authorized role. Support clients during the detoxification process by providing encouragement, reassurance, redirection, and appropriate recovery support. Assist clients with activities of daily living and basic needs as appropriate. Facilitate or assist with approved educational, life-skills, recreational, and recovery-support activities within the employee's training and assigned role. Encourage client participation in scheduled groups, meals, activities, assessments, and other components of the program. Assist with client orientation to the facility, including unit expectations, schedules, rules, rooms, meals, and available resources. Conduct or assist with client belongings and property procedures according to facility policy. Monitor the facility for prohibited items, contraband, unsafe conditions, and potential environmental hazards. Maintain professional and therapeutic boundaries with all clients. Use trauma-informed, respectful, and nonjudgmental communication. Assist with verbal de-escalation and immediately obtain clinical or supervisory assistance when client behavior presents a safety concern. Support admissions, transfers, and discharges as assigned. Assist with transportation coordination or client transportation when specifically authorized and assigned. Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety of client areas and immediately report environmental concerns. Participate in shift-change communication and provide accurate information regarding client behavior, observations, safety concerns, and outstanding tasks. Complete assigned documentation accurately and within required timeframes in Ritten or other approved facility systems. Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and applicable substance-use-disorder confidentiality requirements. Participate in staff meetings, supervision, orientation, competency assessments, and required training. Follow Simply Serene policies and procedures, emergency protocols, infection-control requirements, and safety procedures. Perform other duties consistent with the BHT role as assigned. Client Observation & Safety Client observation is a critical responsibility of the BHT position. BHTs must remain alert and attentive while assigned to client supervision. Required rounds and observations must be actually performed at the required time and accurately documented . Employees may not document a client observation, safety check, service, or task that was not completed. Any inability to complete an assigned observation or any unusual finding must be immediately communicated to the appropriate nurse or supervisor. Sleeping while responsible for client supervision, falsifying client rounds, or knowingly failing to perform required safety observations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Clinical Boundaries BHTs are an important part of the interdisciplinary treatment team but must work within their assigned role, training, competency, and facility policy. BHTs do not independently diagnose clients, determine medical treatment, prescribe or independently administer medications, make independent medical decisions, or perform nursing functions requiring professional nursing judgment. Concerns involving withdrawal severity, medications, medical status, suicide risk, significant behavioral changes, or other clinical issues must be promptly referred to nursing or the appropriate licensed clinical/provider staff. Documentation Responsibilities BHT documentation may include, as assigned: Client observation and safety rounds Behavioral observations Shift documentation Group or activity participation Admission/property-related documentation Incident documentation Client transportation documentation General progress or behavioral notes within the BHT's authorized role Communication of significant client concerns Documentation must be objective, accurate, timely, professional, and based on the employee's direct observations or actions. Minimum Qualifications Candidates should meet the facility's applicable BHT qualification requirements and must: Be at least 18 years of age. Possess a high school diploma or GED at minimum, unless a higher qualification is required for the assigned position. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing substance-use and behavioral-health concerns. Have effective verbal and written communication skills. Be able to maintain professional boundaries and client confidentiality. Be able to recognize and appropriately escalate safety concerns. Successfully complete required pre-employment screening, background/clearance requirements, orientation, and competency requirements. Maintain required CPR/First Aid or other certifications established for the position. Complete all required facility, compliance, HIPAA, safety, and assigned training. Maintain all qualifications and documentation required for continued employment. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience in one or more of the following is preferred: Medical detoxification Substance use disorder treatment Behavioral health Residential treatment Psychiatric care Recovery support Crisis services Healthcare or direct-care environments Experience working with clients experiencing withdrawal, co-occurring mental health conditions, or early recovery is strongly preferred. Physical & Environmental Requirements The position requires the ability to work in a 24-hour detoxification environment and may require extended periods of standing or walking, assisting with routine client needs, responding quickly to emergencies, and performing other physical activities consistent with the position. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law. Schedule & Attendance Simply Serene Detox & Recovery Center operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including weekends and holidays . BHTs may be scheduled for day, night, weekend, and holiday shifts based on facility needs. Reliable attendance and punctuality are essential because BHT staffing directly supports client supervision and safety. Pre-Employment & Continued Employment Requirements Employment is contingent upon successful completion and verification of all required onboarding, background screening, health documentation, training, certifications, and other applicable requirements. Employees are responsible for maintaining all required training, certifications, clearances, and employment documentation throughout employment. Failure to complete or maintain mandatory requirements may result in a delayed start date, removal from the schedule, suspension of duties, or termination of employment, consistent with Simply Serene policy and applicable law. Professional Expectations All BHTs are expected to demonstrate compassion, professionalism, reliability, accountability, teamwork, appropriate boundaries, and respect for every client . Clients entering detox may be experiencing significant physical discomfort, anxiety, fear, irritability, shame, confusion, or emotional distress. Staff are expected to respond professionally and respectfully while maintaining appropriate boundaries and immediately involving clinical personnel when a situation exceeds the BHT's role or training. Employee Acknowledgment I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the Behavioral Health Technician Job Description for Simply Serene Detox & Recovery Center. I understand the responsibilities and expectations of my position and understand that this job description may be modified based on facility needs, regulatory requirements, or organizational changes.
