Behavioral Health/Psychiatric Tech - Emergency Response Team

ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital; Greenville (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Acadia Healthcare in North Carolina is seeking a Behavioral Health/Psychiatric Tech for the Emergency Response Team to respond to behavioral emergencies, support patient safety, and de-escalate crises on patient care units.

You will work with nursing and clinical staff, apply trauma-informed approaches, and participate in drills, safety rounds, and incident documentation to maintain a safe, respectful environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric care, healthcare, crisis intervention, security, emergency response, human services, or similar preferred.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing behavioral distress or aggression preferred.
• CPR/BLS certification as required by the organization.
• Handle With Care training and competency within onboarding timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Respond to behavioral emergencies and provide support for safety concerns.
• Use de-escalation, therapeutic communication, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Recognize early signs of distress or safety risks and take proactive steps.
• Perform handle with care interventions when trained and authorized, using least restrictive methods.
• Maintain visible, supportive presence on patient care units and build rapport while keeping professional boundaries.
• Conduct safety rounds and environmental/contraband checks.
• Collaborate with nursing, clinical, and operational teams to support safety.
• Participate in drills, post-event debriefings, and safety initiatives.
• Complete required safety and incident documentation accurately and timely.
• Help create a dignified, compassionate environment even in challenging situations.

Skills

Crisis de-escalation

Therapeutic communication

Trauma-informed care

Team collaboration

Calm under pressure

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Overview

Behavioral Health/Psychiatric Tech - Emergency Response Team

Overview

Make a difference when it matters most. As a Behavioral Health/Psychiatric Tech - Emergency Response Team, you’ll play a specialized role in helping create a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for patients and the people who care for them. You’ll receive specialized training in behavioral emergency response and Handle With Care, build valuable skills in crisis prevention and de-escalation, and work alongside experienced clinical and operational teams. This is an opportunity to grow your expertise in behavioral healthcare while doing work where your presence, judgment, and ability to connect with people can have an immediate impact.

If you’re calm under pressure, enjoy being part of a strong team, and want meaningful work that protects and supports others, this is an opportunity to Lead Care with Light.

Why You Will Thrive Here

• Purpose driven work:Help ensure patient safety and support healing in an environment grounded in empathy, teamwork, and accountability. We Lead Care with Light in everything we do.
• Growth and stability:Join one of the nation’s largest behavioral health networks with clear paths for advancement and skill development.
• Supportive team culture:Work alongside experienced clinical and nursing leaders who invest in your success and well being.
• Structured environment:Predictable schedules and a professional setting designed to help you succeed and build long term skills.

Benefits That Support You

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company paid short term disability
• Earned wage access
• 401(k) plan, with a company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Employee assistance program
• Ongoing training and career growth opportunities

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Respond to behavioral emergencies and provide additional support when patients or staff face an immediate safety concern.
• Use verbal de-escalation, therapeutic communication, and trauma-informed approaches to help prevent situations from escalating.
• Recognize early signs of behavioral distress, aggression, or other safety risks and take proactive steps to help.
• Perform approved Handle With Care physical interventions when necessary, trained, and authorized, always using the least restrictive safe approach.
• Maintain a visible, supportive presence on patient care units and build positive rapport with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Conduct safety rounds and environmental and contraband checks to identify and address potential risks.
• Partner closely with nursing, clinical, and operational teams to support patient and employee safety.
• Participate in behavioral emergency drills, training, post-event debriefings, and safety improvement initiatives.
• Complete required safety and incident documentation accurately and timely.
• Help create an environment where patients are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, even during challenging situations.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric care, healthcare, crisis intervention, security, emergency response, human services, or a comparable environment preferred.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing behavioral distress, aggression, or emotionally challenging situations preferred.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and compassionate in stressful or rapidly changing situations.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and follow direction during an emergency response.
• Commitment to patient dignity, trauma-informed care, safety, and professional boundaries.
• Successful completion of required Handle With Care training and competencies within the established onboarding timeframe.
• Ability to obtain Handle With Care Trainer certification within six months of hire.
• CPR/BLS certification as required by the organization.

While this job description reflects the typical requirements of the role, responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants regardless of any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

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