Behavioral Health Technician

Advantage Behavioral Health; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Behavioral Health seeks a Behavioral Health Technician to supervise clients and support the treatment team. Responsibilities include admission procedures, client supervision, and maintaining shift notes, with access limits to electronic health records as appropriate.

The role requires 18+ years of age, HS diploma, CPR/First Aid certification, background clearance, and strong communication skills for collaboration with staff and clients.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• CPR and First Aid certification required.
• Criminal background clearance.
• Health screening and TB test results.
• Computer literacy with Microsoft Office and basic software skills.

Responsibilities

• Completes admission procedures for new clients, including paperwork and orientation.
• Performs urine drug screens and medication call supervision as needed.
• Provides client transportation and supports treatment team with logs and records.
• Maintains individualized shift notes and progress documentation.
• Communicates with clients, staff and external resources clearly and professionally.
• Attends training, staff meetings and complies with policies.

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma

CPR/First Aid certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

EHR systems

Job description

Statement of Purpose

The Behavioral Health Technician fulfills the assigned role as a part of the treatment team, maintaining the well‑being of clients and integrity of the program. Provides client supervision and staff/unit support as assigned.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

• Completes admission procedures on new clients including tech paperwork, room assignments, and initial orientation.
• Conducts property searches of clients as required by program standards.
• Performs urine drug screen testing of clients as required.
• Performs medication call supervision as required.
• Provides transportation services including patient transportation, donation pick‑ups, agency errands, etc.
• Attends in‑service training and educational workshops.
• Attends all required staff meetings.
• Has knowledge of mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, family systems and various recovery resources in the community such as Smart Recovery and others.
• Develops and maintains individualized records of client progress (shift notes) and participation in treatment including admission and discharge, individual sessions, group facilitation, family, vocational (both individual and group) literacy training and other occasions as appropriate. The technician will not be doing any treatment planning or counseling services unless registered to do so. The tech has restricted EHR access.
• Writes clear and concise statements summarizing client’s feelings, expressions, resistance and response to their treatment plan, goals, and objectives. Includes letters to referral agencies, courts/probation.
• Confronts behavioral changes, identifies a crisis, and recognizes when additional assistance is necessary.
• Recognizes personal recovery issues that impact job performance and client interactions.
• Fully understands and maintains policies regarding professional ethics, including appropriate boundaries and patient confidentiality.
• Demonstrates respect for cultural and lifestyle diversities of clients and staff.
• Has basic knowledge of referrals, both inside and out of the program.
• Possesses working knowledge of Smart Recovery and 12‑step program (if the client would like the 12‑step program).
• Communicates clearly with clients, staff, peers, supervisors, and non‑company resources.

Additional Duties

• Assists and covers other staff when necessary to maintain high productivity and efficiency in the department.
• As the company grows, additional responsibilities essential for the department to be successful will be assigned accordingly.

Interpersonal Relations

• Creates meaningful connections: demonstrates ability to function effectively as part of the team with outstanding oral and written communication with employees at all levels.
• Accepts constructive feedback and prevents discourse among peers.
• Approaches challenges with critically thinking and acceptance of constructive criticism in an open and non‑defensive manner.
• Remains professional: business casual attire (see dress code policy).

Technician Competencies and Performance Expectations

• Documents client intake and treatment progress (shift notes).
• Identifies crisis situations.
• Supports clients in need.
• Liaises with and refers to treatment team, inside and outside agencies.
• Assesses and reports client behavioral changes.
• Identifies personal boundaries and works as part of the treatment team.
• Adheres to professional standards.
• Recognizes personal biases when working within diverse populations.

Performance Standards & Measurement

• Compliance with essential and incidental duties; compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Compliance with state and federal laws and regulations applicable to the business.

Equipment, Tools & Machines

• Uses computer, telephone, and other office equipment such as a printer and fax.
• Uses company network and email domain.

Working Conditions

• Air‑conditioned and well‑illuminated office environment and outdoor environment.
• May have several responsibilities at once; interaction with others is constant and can be interruptive.
• Work may be stressful at times due to high level workflow.
• Requires availability to work flexible hours including weekends, holidays, and evenings as required to accommodate client needs.
• Participates in educational training, orientations, or compliance programs as needed to maintain competency.

Demands

• Enthusiastic self‑starter operating with sustained energy and showing great initiative.
• Comfortable working with a diverse base of support, including members, employers, providers, colleagues, community leaders, volunteers, non‑profit organizations, vendors, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to read, write and spell in English legibly and without excessive grammatical or communication errors.
• Talk and hear both by person and by telephone; ability to speak clearly and effectively using proper grammar before patients, employees, and business partners, among others.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Accepts constructive criticism well in an open and non‑defensive manner.
• Can manage conflicting priorities and maintain a positive work ethic and a congenial attitude in the face of a high‑pressure environment.
• Can function independently and flexibly.
• Can work under pressure, handle multiple tasks and interruptions.
• Occasional lifting of moderately heavy office supplies; can lift supplies for community events, trade shows, conferences, and other marketing opportunities; can lift, push or pull up to 25 lbs.
• Can sit, stand, or walk for extended periods of time.
• Must have strong computer skills to meet Microsoft Office and Electronic Health Record software requirements.

Qualifications

• Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and hand‑eye coordination must be adequate for performance of job duties. Able to sit at desk, use keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties and move around the facility to observe clients and staff.

Modality Specific Job Responsibilities

• Duties may vary based on assignment. Employees shall receive, concurrent with this job description, the specific orientation necessary for their specific job.

Prerequisite Qualifications

Specific qualifications may vary based on assignment.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Class “C” Driver License (if driving for company), otherwise will need photo ID.
• First Aid and CPR certification required and must be maintained during employment.
• Criminal background clearance.
• Health screening.
• Negative TB test results.
• Develop computer skills adequate to perform word processing duties upon employment.

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalency required.

Experience

• Must have one‑year full‑time experience, or its part‑time equivalent, working in a program serving persons with mental disabilities. If this experience requirement is not met, a plan of supervision must be completed. If facilitating groups, they must be registered or certified by an approved agency.
• Computer literate: Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) required.

Tuesday–Saturday, 11:00 pm–7:30 am