Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - 2nd Shift

Oceans Healthcare; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan withDis

Tuition Reimbursement

Daily Pay

Paid Time Off

Competitive Market Compensation

Short/Long Term Disability

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Haven Behavioral Hospital of Eastern PA in Reading, PA seeks a Full-time Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) to support nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu. Responsibilities include vital signs, ADL assistance, de-escalation, and observation documentation; position requires protocol adherence and compassionate patient interaction.

The role involves 2nd shift hours (3 pm–11:30 pm) with 5–8 hour shifts per week and rotating weekends.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred, but not required, unless state regulations require.
• Current CNA certification or at least 6 months of bedside, direct patient care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and support unit rules and safety.
• Employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Record vital signs, weights, nutrition, and communicate findings to the nurse.
• Assist patients with laundry, meals, bathroom, and mobility needs as required.
• Document observations of patient behavior and location accurately.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

De-escalation

Empathy

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CNA Certification

Job description

• 2nd Shift: 3p-11:30p (5-8hr shifts/week & EOW rotation)

Full-time Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

About Haven Behavioral Hospital Of Eastern PA

Haven Behavioral Hospital of Eastern PA is an 86 bed acute-care Joint Commission Accredited psychiatric hospital that offers care for adults dealing with mental health conditions and co-occurring disorders. We are dedicated to partnering with individuals, families, and communities to improve the lives of patients through the delivery of high-quality, specialty behavioral health services.

Benefits We Offer

• Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage (Multiple Plan Options) - Eligible first of the month after 30 days.
• 401 (k) Retirement Savings Plan with Discretionary Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Daily Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Competitive Market Compensation
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by performing routinely assigned tasks and carrying out patient care activities within the scope of the BHT's training and experience. The BHT will maintain a safe and professional standard for patient care in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and performance improvement standards.

Essential Functions

• Continually monitors and supports compliance within unit rules.
• Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks.
• Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in-services to keep self-informed.
• Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel; performs vital signs, weights, ADL, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse.
• Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings; assists at -risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
• Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific, disability, cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
• Communicates and documents patient observation related to behavior and location and date effectively. Includes accurate documentation of nutritional intake, weights, liquid intake, vital signs, and output appropriately on the observation form.
• Communicates outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner; Communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities; incomplete assignments, ongoing activities and current patient needs to relevant staff to assure continuality of care.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Education / Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) preferred, but not required, unless hired in the following states after January 1, 2026: Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania or as required by the state regulations.
• Current CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Skills / Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Must be able to utilize Age, Disability and Cultural Specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients.
• Must be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth and potentiality of clients and hold a high sense of personal integrity.
• Must be able to work under close supervision.
• Must successfully complete Basic Life Savings (BLS) course and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program

Work Environment

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.