Behavior Health Technician

Brightli • Indianapolis, IN

3d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician I provides direct and supportive care to clients and patients in behavioral health programs. The role includes overseeing day-to-day activities, redirecting clients when needed, monitoring health and vital signs, responding to crises, communicating with the treatment team, facilitating structured or educational activities, and transporting clients as needed. Technicians maintain a basic understanding of treatment plans, monitor and document behavior, and help create a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment.

Responsibilities vary by program and may include client admission, supervision, monitoring, transfer, and discharge; withdrawal monitoring; assistance with personal care in residential care facilities; medication-related oversight within applicable policies, permissions, and training; documentation; supervision checks; and participation in treatment planning and program activities. Staff are expected to follow program policies, complete required training, attend meetings, maintain a clean and safe environment, and support the organization’s mission and code of conduct.

The position requires a high school education or equivalent and two years of responsible employment, subject to stated program-specific qualifications and exceptions. Additional requirements include employment screening, orientation and ongoing training, a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record, and obtaining First Aid and CPR certifications within three months of starting. The role is classified as sedentary work, with occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds and repetitive hand, finger, and arm movements for typing or writing.

Requirements

• High school education or equivalent and two years of responsible employment, unless an approved exception applies.
• For St. Louis County programs: a bachelor’s degree or MAADC I or II.
• Knowledge of confidentiality laws governing substance use and mental health disorder treatment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing and to produce concise reports.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Basic arithmetic skills, including working with whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively with clients, organization employees, family members, and community contacts.
• Ability to follow written, oral, or diagrammed instructions and handle problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to establish rapport with clients while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Basic keyboarding skills and ability to navigate and enter notes in an electronic medical record.
• Successful background screening, including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint checks.
• Completion of new-hire orientation and required training at the beginning of employment, with annual training thereafter as applicable.
• Current driver’s license in the state of residency, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.
• First Aid certification within three months of starting and upon renewal.
• CPR certification within three months of starting and upon renewal.
• Medication administration training according to program standards.
• Behavioral management training within 30 days of employment or at the first available class: CPI for residential programs or Crisis Management on Relias for outpatient programs.
• Complete the 36-hour training requirement within a two-year period in accordance with 9 CSR 10-7.110 E 1 and complete 40 hours of related training annually.
• Extensive knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations of the assigned program.
• At least 21 years of age to operate a company-owned vehicle and at least 23 years of age to operate a company-owned 15-passenger van.
• For Kirksville RCF staff, Illinois staff, and Kansas Residential staff: provide evidence of being free of infectious and contagious disease, such as TB, before starting and annually thereafter.
• For adolescent programs: complete training within six months on adolescent behavior, family dynamics, communication skills, incest, sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse, stress management, and the effects of peer pressure.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in human services or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and supportive care to clients and patients, including general oversight of daily activities and redirection when needed.
• Monitor and document client behavior, activities, health conditions, vital signs, and relevant medical symptoms.
• Respond to crises and communicate concerns to the supervisor and treatment team in a timely manner.
• Support clients’ understanding of and adherence to treatment plans, program expectations, rules, and precaution protocols.
• Admit, supervise, monitor, transfer, and discharge clients or patients in residential and withdrawal management settings.
• Monitor clients for signs and symptoms of withdrawal and recognize when critical symptoms require escalation to medical intervention.
• Obtain and record vital signs, blood glucose readings when indicated, and other relevant medical information according to policy.
• Oversee medication administration as permitted by training and authorization, maintain medication records, monitor OTC medication self-administration and storage, report medication errors or discrepancies, and follow medication storage and destruction procedures.
• Facilitate client supervision checks in accordance with policy and safety or precaution plans.
• Assist residential care facility clients with grooming, bathing, dressing, and other personal care when needed.
• Participate as an active treatment team member by helping identify clients’ strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Document and report exceptional behavior, concerns, client interactions, and relevant shift activities in client records and at shift change.
• Assist with client admission and orientation, including explaining client rights and rules under supervisor direction, conducting safety searches when applicable, and collecting specimens when needed.
• Facilitate urine collection and testing, arrange lab send-offs, and document according to policy and procedure.
• Operate the telephone system, accurately record messages, place calls as directed, provide customer service, and respond to crisis calls while communicating with the supervisor or treatment team.
• Assist, educate, and redirect clients in performing daily activities.
• Ensure clients are accounted for and present at scheduled activities, and document relevant activities, including overnight bed checks.
• Encourage positive social interaction, model solution-focused responses, and foster adaptive behavior.
• Prepare for and facilitate scheduled rehabilitative support, education, recovery skills, or recreation groups.
• Transport clients to and from appointments as needed.
• Complete mandatory training, attend meetings and training sessions as requested, and follow program policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a safe and clean environment, report maintenance or equipment safety problems, and perform other duties assigned by leadership.
• For Illinois programs, serve in on-call shift coverage.
• For Residential Care Facility roles, become credentialed as a Level 1 Med Aid (LIMA) and insulin certified within the first 90 days.

Benefits

• Paid time off package for full-time employees.
• Health, dental, vision, retirement, and life benefits for full-time employees.
• Initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive training.
• Career mobility and advancement opportunities, including promotion from within.
• A welcoming, warm, and supportive work culture that promotes well-being and values employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED