Behavioral Health Tech

URP CALIFORNIA LLC; Beaumont (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

URP CALIFORNIA LLC is seeking a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) in California to join our operations and patient care team. The role involves direct patient support, supervision, and assisting individuals in treatment for mental health and substance use disorders.

You will monitor patient well-being, document observations, and support individualized treatment goals while maintaining boundaries and confidentiality in accordance with California laws and facility policies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Prefer experience in behavioral health or related healthcare setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, coworkers, and supervisory personnel.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate sound judgment in sensitive situations.
• Must complete background screening, health screening, training, and other employment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient supervision, support, and assistance in accordance with treatment plans and facility policies.
• Conduct and document patient safety checks and headcounts at required intervals, including every 15 minutes when directed.
• Monitor patient behavior and well-being, reporting significant changes to clinical staff.
• Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment; promote patient dignity and recovery.
• Assist patients with daily routines and participation in scheduled programming.
• Observe and report signs of distress or safety concerns; respond to emergencies per protocols.
• Assist with patient transportation in authorized vehicles when needed.
• Maintain professional boundaries and HIPAA-compliant documentation.

Skills

Communication

Confidentiality & ethics

Team collaboration

Crisis response

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

Position Title: Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)
Department: Operations / Patient Care
Reports To: Behavioral Health Technician Supervisor
Direct Oversight: Director of Operations
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Employment Classification: Non-Exempt
Location: California

POSITION SUMMARY

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) is an essential member of the multidisciplinary treatment team responsible for providing direct patient support, supervision, and assistance to individuals receiving treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

The BHT promotes a safe, structured, therapeutic, and supportive treatment environment while assisting patients with daily activities, monitoring patient well-being, documenting observations, and supporting individualized treatment goals.

The BHT is expected to maintain professional boundaries, protect patient confidentiality, uphold patient rights, and perform all assigned responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies, applicable California laws and regulations, and established standards of care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient Care, Supervision, and Safety

1. Provide direct patient supervision, support, and assistance in accordance with individualized treatment plans and facility policies.
2. Conduct and accurately document patient safety checks and headcounts at required intervals, including every 15 minutes when directed by facility protocol or an individualized safety plan.
3. Monitor patient behavior, emotional well-being, and overall safety, promptly reporting significant changes or concerns to appropriate clinical or supervisory personnel.
4. Maintain a safe, therapeutic, and structured environment while promoting patient dignity, respect, independence, and recovery.
5. Assist patients with daily routines, activities of daily living, and participation in scheduled treatment programming as appropriate.
6. Observe and report signs of emotional distress, behavioral escalation, impairment, withdrawal symptoms, or other potential safety concerns.
7. Respond appropriately to behavioral emergencies, medical emergencies, and crisis situations in accordance with training, established protocols, and assigned responsibilities.
8. Assist with patient transportation in authorized company vehicles when assigned, maintaining valid driving credentials and following all applicable safety requirements.
9. Maintain professional boundaries and ensure interactions with patients are respectful, ethical, and consistent with organizational standards.
10. Follow established infection prevention, universal/standard precautions, and workplace safety procedures.

Medication Observation and Support

1. Assist with medication observation and medication-related support only as permitted by applicable California regulations, facility licensure, organizational policy, and the employee's training and authorized scope of duties.
2. Promptly report medication concerns, suspected adverse reactions, refusals, or discrepancies to authorized medical or nursing personnel.
3. Refrain from independently administering medications, making clinical assessments, or performing duties requiring professional licensure unless separately authorized by applicable law and appropriately credentialed.

Documentation and Communication

1. Accurately document patient observations, safety checks, behavioral changes, incidents, and relevant patient interactions in accordance with facility documentation requirements.
2. Communicate pertinent patient information to the appropriate members of the treatment team in a timely and professional manner.
3. Participate in treatment team meetings and provide relevant observations regarding patient progress, behaviors, needs, and concerns.
4. Maintain accurate, objective, timely, and confidential documentation in the designated electronic health record or approved documentation system.
5. Immediately report patient safety concerns, suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, violations of patient rights, or other reportable incidents through established reporting procedures and applicable mandated reporting requirements.
6. Maintain compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, applicable California confidentiality laws, and organizational privacy policies.

Team Collaboration and Operational Responsibilities

1. Collaborate effectively with clinical, nursing, medical, and administrative personnel to support coordinated patient care.
2. Maintain open communication with the BHT Supervisor, Director of Operations, and other designated leadership personnel.
3. Attend required staff meetings, treatment team meetings, supervision sessions, and mandatory training programs.
4. Identify and communicate operational concerns, safety risks, and opportunities for improving patient services.
5. Demonstrate effective time management, dependability, accountability, and the ability to prioritize responsibilities.
6. Respond professionally and effectively to changing patient needs, staffing requirements, and operational demands.
7. Support the implementation of facility policies, procedures, emergency response plans, and quality improvement initiatives.

Regulatory Compliance and Professional Development

1. Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including relevant California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), and other regulatory requirements applicable to the facility's licensed or certified services.
2. Complete all required initial orientation, ongoing education, annual training, and competency assessments within established deadlines.
3. Maintain current certifications and training required for the position, including CPR/First Aid and crisis intervention training when applicable.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of patient rights, confidentiality, professional ethics, emergency procedures, and mandated reporting responsibilities.
5. Participate in performance improvement, quality assurance, safety monitoring, and regulatory compliance activities.
6. Maintain awareness of available community resources and recovery support services relevant to patient needs.
7. Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with the position's responsibilities, employee qualifications, and applicable scope-of-practice limitations.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Responsible To: Behavioral Health Technician Supervisor

Supervised By: Director of Operations, through the established supervisory structure

Positions Supervised: None

Interdepartmental Relationships: Maintains effective communication and professional working relationships with fellow Behavioral Health Technicians, supervisory personnel, clinical staff, nursing staff, physicians, administrative personnel, and other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in behavioral health, mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, residential care, or a related healthcare setting preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with patients, coworkers, and supervisory personnel.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate sound judgment in sensitive situations.
• Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to behavioral health emergencies and patient safety concerns.
• Ability to complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Must successfully complete applicable background screening, health screening, training, and other employment requirements associated with the facility's licensure and the position.
• Must meet any additional education, experience, registration, or certification requirements applicable to the facility's program and services.

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an indoor, climate-controlled behavioral health treatment environment.
• Position may require occasional outdoor activities, patient transportation, and movement between facility locations.
• Employees may encounter emotionally distressed, agitated, or potentially aggressive individuals.
• Potential exposure to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and other occupational hazards may occur during the performance of assigned duties.
• Employees must follow established infection prevention, workplace safety, and emergency response procedures.

Equipment Utilized

• Computers and electronic health record systems
• Telephones and communication devices
• Printers, scanners, and standard office equipment
• Company vehicles, when authorized
• Facility safety and emergency response equipment, as applicable

Exposure Classification / Universal Precautions

Routine duties generally do not require direct contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials; however, incidental or reasonably anticipated exposure may occur depending on assigned responsibilities and emergency situations. Employees must follow applicable Cal/OSHA requirements, exposure control procedures, and standard precautions.

Potential Workplace Violence Risk

Moderate to High, depending on patient acuity, treatment setting, and assigned responsibilities. Employees are expected to comply with the facility's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, complete required training, and promptly report threats, unsafe conditions, or incidents.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand, walk, and remain active for extended periods throughout assigned shifts.
• Ability to move throughout the facility to conduct patient supervision and safety checks.
• Ability to respond promptly to emergency situations within the employee's training and physical capabilities.
• Ability to perform routine physical activities associated with patient support and facility operations.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and authorized company vehicles, as applicable.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Requirements

1.EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or equivalent from an accredited organization

2.EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of one years’ experience in substance abuse or and a minimum of one year of experience in a partial hospitalization program or other mental health setting.

3.LICENSURE:

RADT Preference

4.SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Ability to work as a team member, communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work under stressful conditions and be flexible in relation to department needs.

Knowledge of Joint Commission Standards.

Demonstrates Proficiency in Verbal & Written Communication Skills.

Knowledge of State & Federal Statutes Regarding Patient Confidentiality Laws.

Knowledge of Drug-Free Workplace Policies.

Knowledge of Workplace Violence.

Knowledge of Corporate Integrity & Compliance Program.

Knowledge of current utilized technology.