Behavioral Health Technician - Acute

St. Louis Children’s and KVC Health Systems; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Louis Children’s and KVC Health Systems is a leading provider of youth mental health services located in St. Louis, MO.

The role focuses on supporting clients in a therapeutic setting, implementing treatment plans, and promoting safety and well-being for youth and families within a comprehensive care campus. Starting wage is $20.66–$24.75 per hour, with shift differentials and a potential weekend premium.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid Driver's license and auto insurance with good record.
• 0-3 years of experience in the field; 1-3 months related experience and/or training.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Strong customer service focus with ability to work with children, youth, parents, and professionals.
• Excellent time management and reliability.
• Strong oral and written communication to document observations.

Responsibilities

• Provide respectful, individualized care to youth per treatment plans.
• Review client histories and implement interventions as directed.
• Be a positive role model supporting healthy behaviors and coping skills.
• Maintain a safe, structured, trauma-informed environment.
• Support group activities and skill-building with evidence-based approaches.
• Assist with crisis intervention using approved de-escalation techniques.
• Complete accurate documentation, reports, and communications.
• Collaborate with the treatment team to support client progress.
• Assist with daily activities such as meals, transportation, and recreation.
• Administer medications and basic first aid with nursing support.
• Ensure facility cleanliness and report maintenance concerns.

Skills

Customer service

Time management

Oral and written communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Residential Child and Youth Care Professional Certification (RCYCPC)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Camber-SLC, St. Louis, MO, US

5 days ago Requisition ID: 9045

Salary Range: $20.66 To $24.75 Hourly

Full Time

St. Louis, MO, US

*EARLIEST START DATE IS OCTOBER, 26, 2026*

Join Us to Build Healing and Hope Together!

As leaders in children's mental health and wellness, St. Louis Children's and KVC Health Systems Youth Mental Health Care have partnered to create one of the nation's most innovative and transformative youth mental health and wellness campuses. The partnership includes a 77-bed acute care hospital and outpatient programs. Located on the KVC Missouri Children's Mental Wellness Campus conveniently located in Webster Groves, Missouri, the peaceful environment and broad continuum of care allow children and families to access the appropriate level of treatment throughout their healing experience. The new campus is slated to open in late 2026. Learn more at stlouischildrenskvc.org. Join us and be a part of this journey of healing and hope for thousands of children and teens.

Job Summary

Behavioral Health Technician responsible for supporting clients in a therapeutic setting by assisting with daily activities, monitoring behavior, and helping implement treatment plans. Works closely with clinical staff to provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment while encouraging positive coping skills and overall well-being.

Compensation

Starting Rate: $20.66

Shift Differentials: 3p-11p: +$1 hourly, 11p-7a: +$1.50 hourly, Friday - Sunday: Fri 7p-Mon 7a, +$2 hourly

Education

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) from an accredited institution

Licensure/Certification

• Valid Driver's license and auto insurance with good record

Experience

• Minimum 0-3 years of experience in the field
• 1 - 3 months related experience and/or training in a related field
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook (Word, Excel, and email applications proficiency)
• Strong customer service focus (ability to work well with children, youth, parents, and other professionals)
• Excellent time management (being on time and reliable)
• Oral and written communication skills (able to communicate and document observations and incidents)

Preferred Experience/Skills

• 3 - 5+ years of experience in the field
• Experience working with children and families in a trauma informed environment
• Experience in a residential treatment setting
• Residential Child and Youth Care Professional Certification (RCYCPC)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide respectful, individualized care to youth in alignment with treatment plans
• Review client histories and implement/document interventions as directed
• Serve as a positive role model, promoting healthy behaviors and coping skills
• Maintain a safe, structured, and trauma-informed environment
• Support group activities and encourage skill-building using evidence-based approaches (e.g., PBIS)
• Assist with crisis intervention using approved de-escalation techniques (e.g., SCM, UKERU)
• Complete accurate and timely documentation, reports, and communications
• Collaborate with treatment team to support client progress and outcomes
• Assist with daily activities such as meals, transportation, and recreation
• Administer medications and basic first aid per guidelines (with nursing support)
• Ensure facility cleanliness, safety, and report maintenance concerns promptly
• Attend trainings, team meetings, and maintain compliance with policies and procedures

Additional duties may be assigned based on organizational needs and staff qualifications.

Physical & Work Environment

This role involves a mix of standing, walking, and occasional lifting, along with regular use of office equipment. You'll work in a professional office setting with moderate noise levels and occasional exposure to outdoor conditions.

Benefits & More

Employee benefits and culture fall under the KVC Health Systems umbrella. KVC is a family of private, nonprofit organizations that strengthen families, prevent child abuse and neglect, and help people achieve mental health wellness. Through our broad continuum of care, we are proud to be a national leader in mental health, child welfare, and health and human services transformation.

At KVC, we offer a positive, supportive workplace where each person can do work they love. In fact, we're so proud of our culture that we see it as our top competitive advantage in the health and human services field. Based on the voice of our employees, KVC has an incredible 86 Work Wellbeing score on Indeed, a rating so high and rare that it places KVC among the top 1% of employers nationally. KVC was also named #15 on Glassdoor's Best-Led Companies 2025 list, a recognition achieved entirely based on anonymous employee reviews. In addition to being mission-driven, we offer employees an unparalleled level of flexibility, wellbeing, inclusion, recognition, and rewards.