Behavioral Health Technician- Child/Adolescent Unit

Essentia Health; Duluth (MN); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Essentia Health in Minnesota seeks a healthcare teammate to support patient care under nursing supervision, delivering direct and indirect care across age ranges. The role emphasizes safety, patient activity, and collaboration within a clinical team to meet regulatory and care standards.

The position requires experience or credentials in social services or behavioral health, with a focus on compassionate support and adherence to hospital policies and patient care plans.

Qualifications

• Provides assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of selected technical aspects of patient care under direct supervision to meet regulatory requirements.
• Delivers direct/indirect care for patients supporting needs as directed; duties vary by unit and include hygiene, nutrition, comfort, safe transfers, vital signs and recordkeeping.
• Provides patient activity opportunities aligned with plan of care, individually or in groups.
• Maintains unit safety using approved de-escalation techniques to assist distressed or combative patients.
• Participates in skill-building activities and group facilitation as coordinated by psychotherapy and nursing leaders.

Responsibilities

• Assist with assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care activities under RN supervision.
• Provide direct and indirect patient care, including hygiene, nutrition support, comfort, transfers and vitals.
• Engage patients in age-appropriate activities related to their care plan.
• Maintain patient safety and de-escalate distress as needed.
• Coordinate with care team to support optimal patient outcomes.

Skills

Patient care

Vital signs

De-escalation

Group activities

Education

Degree in social services related field

1 year experience working with people with mental health symptoms

Certified Peer Support Specialist in Minnesota or Wisconsin

Behavioral health internship in degree program

Mental Health Practitioner according to MN Statute 245,462

Job description

Education Qualifications:

This position supports patient care by assisting with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of technical tasks under the supervision of nursing leadership, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and alignment with departmental goals and mission. This role delivers direct and indirect care to pre-adolescents through geriatric patients, offering age-appropriate activities aligned with their care plans, either individually or in group settings.

Key Requirements:

• Assists with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of selected technical aspects of patient care under direct supervision of the registered nurse to meet the requirements of the Joint Commission and other regulatory or accrediting agencies
• Provided direct/indirect care for patients to support the patient's needs as directed. Duties will vary by patient care unit/department and include but are not limited to: Providing personal hygiene care, assisting with nutritional needs, providing comfort care and other assistance, appropriately and safely transferring patients, taking vital signs and completing recordkeeping, recognizing and promptly reporting changes in patient condition to the RN, and maintaining a safe, clean environment for patients to promote the healing process
• Provided patients with activity opportunities appropriate to their ages and abilities and related to their plan of care, either individually or in a group setting.
• Help maintain safety on the unit by using de-escalation and other approved techniques to assist distressed or combative patients.
• Additional responsibilities where/when assigned:
• Provide skill building and activities to patients serviced to enhance patient abilities to improve quality of life to their highest feasible level
• Facilitate groups as coordinated by psychotherapy and nursing leaders
• Provide services as part of a care team assembled to ensure optimal patient care delivery under the direction of Essentia Health management and the referring physician

Must have at least one of the following:

• Degree in social services related field
• 1 year experience working with people with mental health symptoms or related applicable experience
• Certified Peer Support Specialist in Minnesota or Wisconsin
• Successful completion of a behavioral health internship as part of a degree seeking program with a bachelor's degree in social services or a related field obtained within 1 year of hire
• Qualifies as a Mental Health Practitioner according to MN Statute 245,462, Subdivision 17

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with a preference in social services or related field and prior experience

Licensure/Certification Qualifications:

Certification/Licensure Requirements:

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification within 1 month of hire. (This does not apply to department 2010-2194290 AMBERWING - AMB)