Behavioral Health Technician

ODYSSEY BEHAVIORAL GROUP•Deerfield Beach, FL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Behavioral Health Technicians interact with clients throughout their shifts, assisting and supporting them with functional needs. They manage the facility’s daily milieu, help ensure client safety, and maintain a therapeutic environment. Technicians familiarize themselves with clients’ histories and needs, recognize cues or behaviors that may indicate a change in status or condition, document client records, and communicate proactively with clinical team members and supervisors. The role works closely with program staff and facility team members, and maintains professional relationships with clients, families, clinical providers, referral partners, and vendors as needed. Technicians provide a structured living experience, monitor client behavior, transport or direct clients to appointments, and follow direction from the Residential Shift Supervisor(s) and Director of Clinical Services. The position is based in a residential treatment setting in Deerfield Beach, Florida, and is listed as full-time on the second shift.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 2 years of experience working with clients with substance abuse and/or mental health issues.
Valid Florida driver’s license.
Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to complete certification within the first 30 days of employment.
Clearance of a TB test.
Ability to communicate with peers, the general public, clients, and vendors.
Ability to move throughout the building and to sit or remain stationary for extended periods.
Ability to perform duties that may involve talking, hearing, sitting, standing, walking, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, tasting, or smelling.
Ability to move up to 25 pounds.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and appropriate client confidentiality and privacy.
Understanding of how to identify abuse or neglect in the client population.
Understanding of universal precautions, infection control, proper handwashing, and emergency and safety procedures.
Ability to recognize and respond to aggressive behavior using crisis intervention techniques.
Ability to perform CPR and first aid.
Ability to observe, supervise, evaluate, and document client behavior in groups and planned activities.
Knowledge of mental health and/or substance use disorders and ability to recognize client symptoms and distress.
Ability to communicate information relevant to client care and demonstrate consideration for cultural values and beliefs.

Nice To Haves

Drug and alcohol certification; alternatively, willingness to complete the requirements within the orientation period.

Responsibilities

Maintain client safety, monitor and record client behavior during the assigned shift, and provide a structured living experience in the residence.
Collaborate with the clinical team to select appropriate interventions and facilitate client education groups.
Engage clients in the milieu, outside activities, group settings, leisure activities, and community outings.
Prompt clients to complete activities of daily living, including room cleaning, hygiene, and laundry; conduct regular room hygiene checks.
Conduct client drug screenings, pregnancy tests, and breathalyzer tests as necessary.
Prompt clients to attend meals, supervise and structure mealtimes as appropriate, and model effective table manners and social interaction.
Provide and maintain a therapeutic environment; interact therapeutically with clients one-to-one, in the community, and in group meetings while maintaining appropriate boundaries and modeling appropriate social behavior.
Respond therapeutically in crisis situations, recognize changes in mood and behavioral functioning, identify triggers for escalation, use de-escalation techniques, and involve other staff as needed.
Use praise and other reinforcers to encourage appropriate behavior, set limits kindly and firmly, and adhere to the DBT model and interventions.
Document services, incident reports, shift reports, group notes, and milieu notes accurately and promptly in accordance with policies and procedures.
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.
Transport clients to appointments and support them in regulating themselves in the community.
Support medication compliance and client self-administration; prepare for admissions by preparing rooms, completing intake documentation, documenting and storing medications, searching and inventorying belongings, and notifying the therapist of contraband.
Support discharge processes as needed and conduct chart audits according to program timelines when requested.
Greet guests warmly, answer phones, and handle calls in a positive, customer-service-focused manner.
Attend required supervisory trainings, follow facility and company policies, and contribute positively as a member of the treatment team.
Be reliable and punctual, notify the supervisor of absences, adapt to changes in facility operations, and perform other duties as assigned.