Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - Full time (Day Shift) | Briscoe

Odyssey House Louisiana; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 17,908 - 27,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k match

Leave benefits

Job summary

Odyssey House Louisiana invites applications for a full-time Behavioral Health Technician at the Briscoe Lake Charles Program. The role provides direct supervision of clients in treatment, with a 6pm–6am schedule, rotating weekends and holidays as needed, and requires coordination with clinical and residential staff to ensure comprehensive substance abuse treatment.

Candidates should have a high school diploma, valid driver’s license, and strong communication skills; preferred bachelor’s degree

Qualifications

• Required: high school diploma or equivalent, valid driver’s license, able to work varied shifts.
• Preferred: bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe environment for clients.
• Use therapeutic communication to de-escalate distressed clients.
• Observe and document client behavior.
• Oversee activities and supervise clients 24/7 as needed.
• Submit shift reports and communicate with clinical staff.
• Monitor medications under nursing supervision.
• Assist with planning therapeutic activities.
• Conduct urine screens and complete documentation.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Excellent written and verbal comms

Valid Driver's License

Overtime/Weekends/Holidays flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Job description

Behavioral Health Technician – Briscoe Lake Charles Program

Join our mission to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for people in Louisiana, encompassing primary care, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment. Help save lives at OHL!

Job Summary

Odyssey House Louisiana, Inc. is seeking a full‑time Behavioral Health Technician. The schedule is 6pm-6am; with rotating shifts, including weekends, and holidays as needed. The Behavioral Health Technician provides direct supervision of clients in treatment. Behavioral Health Technicians work directly with the clients supervising all daily activities. Behavioral Health Technicians are needed for direct client supervision 24 hours and 7 days per week. All Behavioral Health Technicians report directly to the Behavioral Health Technician Supervisor and are expected to work closely with all clinical, medical, and other residential staff to ensure clients receive comprehensive substance abuse treatment services.

Responsibilities and Duties

• ensure a safe environment for clients;
• exercise therapeutic communication skills;
• take steps to de‑escalate distressed clients;
• observe and document client behavior;
• assist with therapeutic and recreational activities;
• monitor clients' physical well‑being;
• provide input regarding client progress to the interdisciplinary team;
• oversee the activities of the facility when there is no professional staff on duty;
• assess situations related to relapse and provide access to appropriate medical care when needed;
• function as client advocate;
• monitor residents to ensure their compliance with daily schedules and to ensure their safety at all times;
• receive and pass verbal and written feedback to clinical, medical, and other program staff as requested about client activity and behaviors;
• monitor visits from children and family members and provide documentation as requested by clinical staff and BHT Supervisor;
• monitor and observe clients taking medications as requested by nursing staff or the BHT Supervisor, complete all required documents in the clients charts as instructed, and inform BHT Supervisor and nursing staff of any problems or concerns;
• complete all Incident Reports prior to the end of scheduled shift as required by Incident Policy and Procedure;
• assist with the planning and organization of therapeutic client activities both on and off the program campus;
• conduct urine screens as requested and complete all required documentation;
• facilitate and supervise all client feedback meetings;
• facilitate and monitor client phone calls;
• facilitate and supervise any community or in‑house 12‑step meetings (must be present);
• complete client bed checks every 20 minutes or as requested by Program Manager and complete required documentation via emails during night runs;
• complete facility security rounds and ensure all doors and gates are locked and secured when appropriate;
• submit shift reports to BHT Supervisor throughout shift via email as requested;
• contact BHT Supervisor in the event of a fire or evacuation of the treatment facility as required;
• perform property searches on all new clients as requested and perform searches on clients returning to the program from outside activities (NO CAVITY SEARCH);
• assist with other program functions as requested by BHT Supervisor including but not limited to transportation and monitoring of the front desk;
• assist with providing clients cigarettes as scheduled per shift requiring staff to be in a smoking area with all clients smoking at one time;
• perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Skills

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Driver's License
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field (Social Work, Psychology, Education)
• 3 plus years of Behavioral Health Technician in Acute Psych experience
• Knowledge of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous principles
• 2 years of Behavioral Health Technician in Acute Psych and substance abuse treatment experience
• CPI de‑escalation training knowledge

Compensation And Benefits

Competitive Compensation and Benefits package includes insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long‑term and short‑term disability), leave benefits and 401k match.