Behavioral Health Technician - Full Time Swing Shift

ODYSSEY BEHAVIORAL GROUP•Locust Grove, VA

3d•$19 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician supports clients in a residential psychiatric treatment setting by addressing functional needs, maintaining a safe and therapeutic milieu, and engaging clients in individual, group, and community activities. The role involves learning clients’ histories and needs, observing for changes in their status or behavior, documenting services and incidents, and communicating proactively with clinical team members and supervisors. Technicians collaborate with clinical staff on interventions, education groups, crisis response, admissions, and discharge processes. The position is full time, scheduled 3:00 PM–11:30 PM five days per week, including a combination of weekdays and weekends, at The Grove in Locust Grove, Virginia. Pay is $19.00–$23.00 per hour, with additional evening and weekend shift differentials of $1.00 per hour each. The work takes place in a residential treatment center with communal areas, outdoor courtyards, a fitness center, and rooms for group therapy and activities. The position requires movement throughout the facility and participation in activities outdoors and off facility grounds, including transporting clients to appointments and outings. Employees must follow facility policies, safety procedures, and the Code of Ethics, complete required training, and maintain professional relationships with clients, families, colleagues, providers, referral partners, and vendors.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current CPR and First Aid certification.
Valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and an acceptable driving record.
Clearance of criminal background, TB test, and any other mandatory state or federal requirements.
Ability to move 25 pounds.
Ability to communicate with peers, clients, and vendors and move throughout the building, including participating in activities outdoors and off facility grounds.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; the role may also involve sitting or remaining stationary, talking, hearing, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, tasting, and smelling.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and protect client confidentiality and privacy.
Understanding of identifying abuse or neglect in the client population.
Ability to promote positive customer relations and contribute to continuous quality improvement.
Understanding of universal precautions, infection control, proper handwashing, and emergency and safety procedures.
Ability to recognize and respond to aggressive behavior, use crisis intervention techniques, perform CPR and first aid, and observe, supervise, evaluate, and document client behavior.
Knowledge of mental health and/or substance use disorders and ability to recognize client symptoms and distress and communicate relevant information about client care.
Consideration for and respect of clients’ values and cultural beliefs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
At least one year of experience in a behavioral healthcare setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the clinical team to select appropriate interventions for individual clients.
Engage clients in the milieu and indoor and outdoor activities, including group settings and leisure activities.
Encourage clients to complete activities of daily living, including room cleaning, hygiene, and laundry; conduct drug screenings, pregnancy tests, and breathalyzer tests as needed.
Prompt clients to attend meals, provide structure and supervision at mealtimes, and model appropriate table manners and social interaction.
Provide and maintain a therapeutic environment in collaboration with other staff.
Interact therapeutically with clients one-to-one and in community and group settings, maintaining boundaries and modeling appropriate social behavior.
Collaborate with the clinical team to facilitate client education groups.
Respond therapeutically to crises, recognize behavioral functioning and mood changes, and use DBT-informed coping and intervention approaches.
Use praise and other reinforcers to encourage appropriate behavior, set limits kindly and firmly, identify triggers, and use de-escalation techniques to prevent crises.
Document services, incident reports, shift reports, and group and milieu notes accurately and promptly in client records.
Follow facility safety procedures, including fire drills, evacuation procedures, and internal and external disaster plans.
Complete vehicle safety and fuel checks before using company vehicles and report concerns to a supervisor or manager.
Follow clinical precautions, including visual clinical observations.
Greet guests, answer and direct phone calls, and provide positive customer service.
Transport clients to and from appointments and support them in regulating in the community.
Gather clients for outings and groups to encourage program engagement.
Support medication compliance and client self-administration of medication.
Prepare for client admissions by preparing rooms, completing intake documentation, documenting and storing medications, and searching and inventorying belongings; notify the therapist of contraband.
Support discharge processes as needed.
Follow the facility Code of Ethics, corporate compliance requirements, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Conduct chart audits according to program timelines when requested.
Arrive on time, notify a supervisor promptly when absent, adapt to facility changes, maintain a positive and collaborative attitude, and complete required training.
Perform other duties as assigned.