Job Description:
A licensed/certified Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) to join our behavioral health treatment team.
The BHT provides direct client support in a structured behavioral health setting and works under the direction and supervision of the appropriate clinical professionals. The BHT is responsible for maintaining client safety, monitoring and documenting client behavior, supporting therapeutic programming, assisting with daily activities, maintaining a clean and structured therapeutic environment, and communicating observations and concerns to the treatment team.
The ideal candidate is dependable, compassionate, professional, observant, a strong team player, and able to remain calm and effective when working with clients experiencing behavioral, emotional, mental health, trauma-related, or substance-use challenges.
Essential Responsibilities -Client Safety and Monitoring:
- Maintain a safe, supportive, structured, and respectful environment for all clients.
- Complete required 15-minute rounds/Q15 checks in accordance with facility policy, client level of care, and applicable Washington requirements.
- Accurately observe and document client behavior.
- Immediately report safety concerns, significant behavioral changes, incidents, emergencies, or other concerns to the appropriate clinical or supervisory staff.
- Assist clients with daily activities and structured routines within the employee's authorized role and scope.
- Maintain professional boundaries and protect client confidentiality.
- Engage with clients and develop appropriate professional rapport.
- Encourage clients to follow program expectations and maintain a safe, respectful environment.
Group and Program Support
- Coordinate with the assigned Therapist regarding the BHT's role during each group.
- Communicate planned break times with the Therapist and other BHT staff.
- Obtain direction from the Therapist regarding appropriate client engagement during groups.
- Remain actively engaged in assigned groups and provide appropriate behavioral support rather than simply serving as a passive observer.
- Support clients in practicing appropriate behaviors, communication, responsibility, structure, and respect.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and remain within the employee's credential, training, supervision, and scope of practice.
De-Escalation and Behavioral Support
- Develop and maintain competency in basic verbal and behavioral de-escalation techniques.
- Remain calm, professional, and respectful during challenging or escalating situations.
- Recognize changes in client behavior that may indicate an emerging safety concern.
- Follow the facility's approved crisis, emergency, and de-escalation procedures.
- Immediately communicate behavioral or safety concerns to the appropriate clinical/supervisory staff.
- Complete required incident and behavioral documentation.
- Never perform an intervention outside the employee's training, authorization, credential, or scope of practice.
Team Communication
- Work collaboratively with Therapists, Nurses, Supervisors, and other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team.
- Communicate relevant client observations accurately and objectively.
- Coordinate breaks with other BHT staff to ensure continuous client coverage.
- When one BHT is on break, ensure the remaining assigned staff member continues required Q15 observations and client monitoring.
- Participate in shift handoffs and end-of-day team meetings.
- Communicate appropriately with coworkers regarding client needs, staffing coverage, and daily responsibilities.
- Remain in assigned work areas and actively perform assigned duties.
Minimum Qualifications
- Active Washington State Certified Behavior Technician (CBT) credential in good standing OR another Washington State behavioral-health credential specifically approved by the employer for this position.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to provide proof of current credential upon request.
- Ability to maintain required Washington credential renewal and continuing requirements.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to remain calm and professional during stressful situations.
- Ability to recognize and appropriately report client safety concerns.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and client confidentiality.
- Ability to follow treatment-team direction, facility policies, and applicable Washington laws and regulations.
- Ability to complete all employer-required training.
- Ability to work assigned shifts, including weekends, holidays, evenings, or overnight shifts when required. Must have open availability.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous behavioral health experience.
- Experience working with adolescents, young adults, or other behavioral health populations.
- Experience in residential treatment, inpatient behavioral health, mental health, or a related setting.
- Crisis intervention or de-escalation training.
- CPR/First Aid certification.
- Experience with behavioral observation and clinical documentation.
Professional Expectations
The successful candidate must be:
- A strong team player.
- A quick learner.
- Dependable and punctual.
- Compassionate while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Firm, fair, and consistent with program expectations.
- Able to accept direction and constructive feedback.
- Able to communicate effectively with clients and coworkers.
- Able to maintain professionalism in challenging circumstances.
- Committed to client safety, dignity, and well-being.
Washington Regulatory Compliance
This position is subject to applicable Washington State behavioral health credentialing, licensing, certification, supervision, training, and scope-of-practice requirements.
The employer will verify the applicant's Washington credential before employment and will assign duties consistent with the employee's credential, education, training, supervision, and authorized scope of practice.
Washington's behavioral health agency requirements are established in Chapter 246-341 WAC, while the Washington Certified Behavior Technician credential is governed by Chapter 246-805 WAC and Chapter 18.380 RCW.
Full Time Position
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
