Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - PRN

Oceans Healthcare; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester is a 72-bed facility delivering behavioral health services. The PRN Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) supports nursing staff to maintain a therapeutic milieu and ensures safety and compassionate patient care within regulatory standards.

This role requires strong communication, the ability to de-escalate and monitor patients, and compliance with hospital policies. Shifts include day (7a-7p) and night (7p-7a) with competitive pay differentials.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; CNA cert or 6+ months bedside care preferred.
• Ability to read/write and follow instructions.
• Strong communication and ability to work with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and support adherence to unit rules.
• Use de-escalation techniques and provide therapeutic interventions.
• Inventory patient belongings and secure contraband; perform safety checks.
• Follow universal precautions and attend required trainings.
• Assist with vitals, ADLs, nutrition monitoring, and relay findings.
• Assist with mobility, meals, and daily activities as needed.
• Document patient observations and communicate with nursing staff.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

De-escalation

Documentation

Education

High school diploma

CNA certification or experience

Job description

PRN Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

• Day (7a-7p) and Night (7p-7a) Shifts Available!
• Competitive Pay & Shift Differentials

• Day (7a-7p) and Night (7p-7a) Shifts Available!
• Competitive Pay & Shift Differentials

About Haven Behavioral Hospital Of West Chester

Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester is a 72-bed facility providing high-quality, specialty behavioral health services for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Our success is a reflection of the excellence and dedication of our employees at every level of our facility. The culture of our hospital is built around service. All jobs performed on our team are worthwhile and every employee makes a difference. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow personally and professionally while delivering compassionate, quality care we encourage you to explore career opportunities with Haven of West Chester

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.