Behavioral Health Technician

Gulfstream Goodwill Industries•Belle Glade, FL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Technician provides direct participant support, observation, safety monitoring, behavioral health assistance, crisis de-escalation, and documentation within Gulfstream Goodwill Industries Residential Housing Resource Centers serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The position helps maintain a safe, secure, welcoming, trauma-informed, and supportive environment while supporting individual service and/or treatment plans as directed by licensed medical, clinical, or behavioral health professionals. This role does not independently diagnose, prescribe, or provide clinical counseling, but works as part of an interdisciplinary team to support participant stability, safety, dignity, and movement toward self-sufficiency.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) certification or an associate degree in behavioral health required. Must maintain certification status throughout employment.
One year of experience in a residential, shelter, human services, crisis stabilization, behavioral health, substance-use, or supportive-housing setting preferred; two years of customer service experience may be considered.
Must successfully complete all Gulfstream Goodwill Industries (GGI) mandatory training modules within established organizational timeframes. Training topics include, but are not limited to: behavioral health, crisis intervention, abuse and neglect reporting, trauma-informed care, participant confidentiality, workplace safety, emergency response, and human trafficking awareness.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a mental health institution, psychiatric ward, crisis unit, substance-use treatment program, housing resource center, or similar behavioral health environment is highly desirable.
Individuals with lived experience of homelessness, recovery, or behavioral health system navigation are encouraged to apply when they meet role requirements.

Responsibilities

Orient participants/guests to the facility, assigned personal areas, program expectations, arrival and departure procedures, emergency exits, and responsibilities.
Assist participants in use of facility amenities, including laundry, recreational spaces, dining areas, and other common areas.
Establish and sustain a professional, respectful, culturally responsive, and equitable atmosphere for participants, visitors, volunteers, and staff to foster safety and engagement.
Implement and support the principles of trauma-informed care, person-centered services, harm reduction, dignity, empathy, and inclusion in all participant interactions.
Execute assigned portions of individual service plans and/or treatment plans as directed or prescribed by licensed medical, behavioral health, or clinical professionals and in accordance with program procedures.
Monitor and assess participants while in facility spaces to detect, prevent, and report behavioral changes, emerging medical concerns, and environmental risks.
Timely record accurate, objective, and specific observations, shift notes, incident reports, notice of infractions, medication-log entries as assigned, and other required documentation in paper logs and/or approved electronic systems.
Provide detailed verbal and written updates regarding participant progress, behavioral health concerns, crisis indicators, safety risks, medical concerns, and other significant observations to the Shift Coordinator, Program Manager, clinical staff, nursing staff, or other designated personnel.
Apply approved conflict-resolution and de-escalation protocols to manage behavioral outbursts and mitigate risks when participants present a danger to themselves or others.
Initiate immediate internal protocols and contact external emergency services (medical, law enforcement, or clinical supervisors) when responding to severe psychological distress, medical crises, or safety threats.
Provide appropriate emotional support, encouragement, active listening, and respectful redirection while maintaining professional boundaries and role clarity.
Assist with screenings, wellness checks, participant check-ins, safety checks, service documentation, data entry, and other administrative tasks as assigned and within scope of role.
Protect sensitive participant data by adhering strictly to HIPAA guidelines, 42 CFR Part 2, and organizational privacy policies.
Input accurate tracking details regarding participant medications in alignment with nursing directives, ensuring zero direct dispensing or administration of medication.
Execute scheduled security checks across interior and exterior grounds at designated intervals (e.g., every 30 minutes) to identify maintenance hazards, secure exits, and maintain perimeter control.
Assist entering participants with approved intake procedures, including storage, Hot Box procedures, and handling of personal belongings in accordance with agency protocols.
Manage the phone line during weekend, evening, overnight, or other assigned shifts and communicate effectively with team members across shifts to maintain flawless organizational communication.
Drive programmatic access and reduce systemic service barriers for vulnerable populations experiencing or at risk of homelessness and behavioral health crises.
Manage the daily layout, orderliness, and cleanliness of group event spaces, prompting and guiding participants through assigned chores to maintain community standards.
Actively participate in shift briefings, clinical case staffing, and hazard meetings to coordinate individual care strategies across departmental lines.
Adapt to changing facility needs by executing targeted departmental assignments, special projects, and shift-coverage adjustments as directed to actively maintain seamless program operations and regulatory compliance.
Demonstrate by words and actions a commitment to the Goodwill mission to help people experiencing homelessness become self-sufficient, working members of the community.
Perform or assist with duties or operations required to maintain workflow, continuity of coverage, safety, schedules, and quality requirements.
Maintain a safe work area and comply with safety procedures, emergency protocols, infection-control practices, and equipment operating rules, keeping work areas clean and orderly.
Participate in meetings, quality-improvement activities, and training courses to integrate services, communicate issues, obtain approvals, resolve problems, and maintain current knowledge of new developments, requirements, and policies.
Support collaboration with community providers, outreach teams, behavioral health partners, medical professionals, and emergency responders as directed by program leadership.