Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - 3rd Shift

Oceans Healthcare; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with match

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 is seeking a dedicated Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) to support nursing staff and maintain a therapeutic milieu. The BHT will perform patient care tasks within training scope, ensuring safety and high-quality care for adults with mental health conditions.

Responsibilities include monitoring, de-escalation, vital signs, ADL support, and accurate documentation, while complying with Joint Commission and state regulations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred; CNA certification preferred in some states.
• Current CNA certification or at least 6 months bedside care experience preferred.
• Must complete BLS and Oceans-approved behavioral de-escalation training.

Responsibilities

• Continually monitors and supports compliance within unit rules.
• Employs de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventories patient belongings and secures contraband; performs safety checks.
• Adheres to universal precautions and infection-control policies; attends required trainings.
• Performs vital signs, weight measurements, ADL and nutritional monitoring; reports findings to nurse.
• Assists patients with meals, mobility, and daily living activities as needed.
• Individualizes care for age, disability and cultural needs; documents observations accurately.
• Communicates task outcomes and follow-ups to nursing staff; ensures continuity of care.

Skills

Communication skills

Reading & writing

De-escalation

Empathy

Patient care

Cultural sensitivity

BLS training

Education

High school diploma

CNA certification

Healthcare experience

Job description

• 3rd Shift: 11p-7:30a (5-8hr shifts/week & EOW rotation)
• Competitive Pay Rates & Shift Differentials

Full-time Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

• 3rd Shift: 11p-7:30a (5-8hr shifts/week & EOW rotation)
• Competitive Pay Rates & Shift Differentials

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.