Behavioral Health Technician (IBHS)

Default Brand; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Northern Children’s Services is seeking Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT) to join our after-school Wellness & Resiliency Program in Philadelphia.

The BHT provides behavioral management interventions for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance, either 1:1 or in small groups, to stabilize and support development. The team collaborates with families, schools, and wraparound staff to ensure continuity of service and positive outcomes.

Job description

This position works after-school hours, generally 4pm-8pm on weekdays.

Northern Children's Services supports the healthy development of children and youth, while stabilizing their families to build stronger communities. Everything we do at Northern Children's Services is designed to create a better future for our families. We are currently hiring Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT) to join our team!

The BHT provides behavioral management interventions to a child or adolescent with a serious emotional disturbance, in the assigned afterschool Wellness & Resiliency Program (WRP) setting, in support of the family or other responsible adults, in order to prevent more restrictive services or out-of-home placement. This role may involve the provision of 1:1 services or group services (if multiple clients are in the same room). Services may also be provided to integrate or re-integrate the child into normalizing settings and activities. The BHT is responsible for providing behavioral health interventions to stabilize the child(ren), assist in developing age-appropriate self-management skills, and to support and empower parents, family members, teachers or other adults responsible for supervising the child in an educational or other community setting.

This position requires some work flexibility. Hours during the school year are generally 4pm-8pm on weekdays. During the summer, camp hours are traditionally 10am-4pm. We are ideally seeking candidates who can work both schedules, but will consider candidates who may only be able to work the after school schedule at this time.

Essential Functions Include:

Communication

• Maintain contact with treatment team members (schools, families, wraparound staff, and other relevant parties)
• Advocate for the needs of the consumer to accomplish treatment objectives
• Communicate pertinent treatment information to the Clinical Supervisor
• Collaborate with other programs and departments to ensure continuity of service for designated consumers

Documentation

• Complete all progress notes within 72 hours of service to assure appropriate billing of services
• Complete all documentation in a timely fashion and in required formats, including, but not limited to progress notes, incident reports, and encounter forms
• Document all therapeutic interactions, unusual incidents, routine activities, etc. as required by policies and procedures
• Plan and organize interventions that support in the social, emotional and educational development of the consumer, based upon the Treatment Plan
• Attend interagency meetings to ensure continuity of service
• Attend mandatory in-service trainings
• Participate in Performance Improvement Activities
• Attend psychiatric and medication evaluation to ensure service delivery

Monitoring

• In accordance with the principles of best practice, provide oversight and direction to assigned children.
• Assess and reassess the service needs of the designated consumers and inform the Clinician assigned to the child for update of the Treatment Plan.

Direct Service

• Create an environment which fosters positive growth and development for all consumers
• Provide interventions to promote social growth in all consumers
• Directly implement components of the treatment plans developed in conjunction with the treatment team
• Provide regular/routine feedback to team regarding relevance of treatment plan, need for alternative interventions, etc.

Networking

• Represent agency at conferences, training and interagency meetings, as needed

Trauma-Informed Principles

Northern Children’s Services is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment rooted in safety, nonviolence, and resilience. Our policies are guided by trauma-informed principles, ensuring that we create a supportive and healing atmosphere for clients and staff.

A trauma-informed approach recognizes that past experiences, including trauma, can significantly impact a person’s behavior, emotions, and interactions. Therefore, we strive to:

• Use emotional intelligence: Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively: Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
• Understand trauma’s impact: Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
• Apply person-first, strengths-based language: Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").

By adhering to these principles, we ensure that our workplace is not only effective but also compassionate and inclusive for everyone.

Americans with Disabilities: As with all positions at Northern Children’s Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individuals. We recognize the American With Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on case- by- case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions.

DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED IN EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, ASSIGNMENT OR DISMISSAL, ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, and HANDICAP, OR RECEIPT OF SERVICES FOR MENTAL DISABILITY.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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