Behavioral Health Technician

Discovery Behavioral Health; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Discovery Behavioral Health in Fairfax, VA is seeking a Behavioral Health Tech I to support patients from admission through discharge. The role focuses on patient safety, direct interventions, and group facilitation within a multifaceted treatment program.

You will assist nursing staff, document precise notes, and help implement treatment plans while ensuring a clean, safe facility environment. On-site schedule is Monday–Friday, 11:00am–7:00pm with a pay range of $16.00–$25.00 per hour.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) preferred.
• Valid and unrestricted State Driver's License.
• Must obtain CPI certification within 90 days of hire (training provided).
• Must obtain and maintain CPR, AED, and First Aid (training provided).
• Substance Use Division: Minimum 1 year sobriety if in recovery.
• Eating Disorder Division: Minimum 1 year recovery if in recovery.

Responsibilities

• Assist and support patients through admission to discharge, contributing to treatment planning.
• Ensure patient safety, provide interventions, and lead psychoeducational groups.
• Support nursing staff, monitor patient needs, and document shift notes and group notes.
• Maintain an organized, safe environment and perform basic housekeeping duties.
• Participate in crisis response and follow infection control policies.
• Attend staff meetings, complete trainings, and keep HR files up to date.

Skills

Patient safety

Crisis intervention

Communication

Teamwork

Cultural sensitivity

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma (or equivalent)

Job description

Position Summary

Behavioral Health Tech I (BHT I) is responsible for assisting and supporting patients through the entire treatment experience from admission through discharge. BHT I will be contributing insightful, practical, and meaningful information to the treatment planning process. BHT I responsibilities primarily include ensuring patient safety, providing patient interventions, leading psychoeducational groups, and supporting patients.

Essential Job Functions:

• Adheres to all DBH policies and procedures.
• Conducts self in a manner that represents DBH values.
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude.
• Provides exemplary customer service to all patients.
• Exhibits understanding and respect for cultural and lifestyle diversity.
• Understand and maintain professional boundaries and professional ethics.
• Follows directions as given by facility leadership.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information and records; and of facility/company proprietary, privileged, and/or confidential information.
• Facilitates patient daily needs per the program schedule, including but not limited to: waking/bedtime routines and hygiene, meals/snacks, bathroom safety observations, free time.
• Assists Nursing staff with duties as directed, for example: patient supervision, vitals, room searches, patient searches, etc.
• Recognizes, responds to, and assists in crisis situations and provides interventions as appropriate.
• Consistently reports to work on time and prepared to perform the duties of the position.
• Assists in the implementation of individual patient treatment plans per clinical team.
• Supports patients during admission and discharge processes. This may include checking in patient belongings, acclimating patients to the program, preparing patients for returning home
• Monitors patient activity and documents any significant patient issues. Ensure accuracy and timely completion of all shift notes, group notes, and other required documentation by the end of shift.
• Maintains an organized and safe environment and performs basic housekeeping duties.
• Conducts regular facility and grounds checks, advising facility leadership of any irregularities or safety concerns.
• Responsible for scheduled shifts and finding coverage if a shift cannot be worked, unless experiencing an emergency
• Attends all staff meetings and in-service trainings.
• Completes all online training, policy verification, and ensures that their employee HR file is kept up to date.
• Observes infection control policies and participates in proper hand hygiene
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Eating Disorder Division:
  • Providing supervision and support to patients during mealtimes requires staff to eat meals and snacks with patients.
  • Obtain Food Handling/Safety certification within 30 days of hire, training provided. Tasks include food temperature checks, expiration date checks, and proper food storage.
  • Must refrain from comments and actions that directly contradict the CFD Clinical Model and Dietary CARE model.
• Substance Use Division:
  • Accurately and securely collecting urine specimens including verifying donor identification, ensuring chain of custody, and following specific handling procedures
• Residential Treatment Only:
  • In states where permissible, passing medicine will be required. Training and/or required certification will be provided.
  • Provides transportation services including patient transportation/supervision, errands, shopping, admits, outings, etc. (must be pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle).

Knowledge, Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) preferred
• Valid and unrestricted State Driver's License
• Must obtain and maintain CPI certification within 90 days of hire, training provided
• Must obtain and maintain CPR, AED, and First Aid, training provided
• Substance Use Division: Minimum 1 year sobriety if in recovery
• Eating Disorder Division: Minimum 1 year recovery from eating disorder if in recovery

Employment Status:

Full-time

Schedule:

Monday-Friday, 11:00am-7:00pm

Work Location:

On-site - Fairfax, VA

Compensation:

Pay Range: $16.00-25.00 hourly