Behavioral Health Technician-Residential

Odyssey House Louisiana, Inc.; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance (health, dental, vision, etc

Leave benefits

401k match

Job summary

Odyssey House Louisiana, Inc. is seeking a full-time Behavioral Health Technician to supervise residential clients in a comprehensive treatment program across Louisiana.

Shifts are Monday–Friday 7pm–7am with holidays and weekend rotation; you will work with clinical and medical staff to ensure safe care, document behaviors, and support therapeutic activities 24/7.

This role requires de-escalation skills, strong communication, and a commitment to recovery support.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 2 years of Behavioral Health Tech experience in Acute Psych and substance abuse treatment.
• CPI de-escalation training knowledge preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; strong written and verbal communication required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe environment for clients.
• Exercise therapeutic communication skills.
• Observe and document client behavior.
• Oversee daily activities and supervise residential clients 24/7.
• Assist with planning and organization of therapeutic client activities.
• Monitor clients’ physical well-being and medication administration as requested.
• Provide input regarding client progress to the interdisciplinary team.
• Complete incident reports and maintain accurate documentation.

Skills

Behavioral Health Tech experience

CPI de-escalation

Excellent communication

Overtime/weekend flexibility

Sobriety 2+ years

Microsoft Office Suite

Driver's License

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Behavioral Health Technician-Residential

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. Available shifts are Monday-Friday 7pm-7am including holidays and weekend rotation.The Behavioral Health Technician provides direct supervision of the Residential clients in treatment. Behavioral Health Technicians work directly with the clients supervising all daily activities. Clients in treatment reside at the agency’s main campus and therefore Behavioral Health Technicians are needed for direct client supervision 24 hours and 7 days per week. All Behavioral Health Technicians report directly to the Recovery Support Staff Supervisor of Residential treatment 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;
• possess adequate orientation and skills to assess situations related to relapse and to 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 Residential staff as requested about client activity and behaviors;
• monitor visits from children and family members and provide documentation as requested by clinical staff and Recovery Support Staff Supervisor;
• monitor and observe clients taking medications as requested by Residential nursing or the Recovery Support Staff Supervisor, complete all required documents in the clients charts as instructed, and inform Recovery Support Staff Supervisor and Residential nursing 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 main 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 30 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 Recovery Support Staff Supervisor throughout shift via email as requested;
• contact Recovery Support Staff Supervisor in the event of a fire or evacuation of the treatment facility as required;
• perform strip and property searches on all new clients as requested and perform strip searches on clients returning to the program from outside activities (NO CAVITY SEARCH);
• assist with other program functions as requested by Recovery Support Staff 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 approximately 70-80 people smoking at one time;
• collect, wash and dry all client clothing and linen as assigned on laundry day
• perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Divers License
• 2 years of Behavioral Health Tech in Acute Psych and substance abuse treatment experience
• CPI de-escalation training knowledge
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.
• Candidates in recovery must have 2 plus years of sobriety.

Preferred:

Preferred qualifications include the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field (social work, psychology, education)
• 3 plus years of Behavioral Health Tech experience in Acute Psych
• Knowledge of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous principles

Compensation and Benefits

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