BHT Operations Supervisor - Inpatient Behavioral Health

Yoso Recruiting; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare staffing agency is looking for a Behavioral Health Technician Supervisor to manage daily operations at a newly established detox and residential treatment center. The role involves supervising staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a safe and structured environment for clients. Ideal candidates have leadership experience in behavioral health settings and strong crisis management skills. This position includes responsibilities such as coaching staff, coordinating operations, and ensuring client safety. Candidates should possess a high school diploma, and preference is given to those with relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a behavioral health or substance abuse treatment setting.
• Experience in a Lead BHT, BHT Supervisor, or similar leadership/operations role.
• Strong knowledge of inpatient milieu management and client safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, schedule, and support all BHT staff across shifts.
• Ensure adherence to state regulations and company policies.
• Serve as primary point of contact for BHT staff during assigned shifts.

Skills

Leadership and team development

Crisis intervention and problem-solving

Strong communication

Organization and scheduling management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates or Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

EMR systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) Supervisor to join our leadership team at a new 48-bed detox and residential substance abuse treatment center. This role is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, staffing, and performance of the BHT team while ensuring a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for clients.

The ideal candidate has prior experience as a Lead BHT, BHT Supervisor, or Operations Manager within an inpatient behavioral health or substance abuse treatment setting, and brings strong leadership, crisis-management, and team-development skills.

• Supervise, schedule, and support all BHT staff across shifts (detox and residential units)
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to BHT team members
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, and competency development of new BHT staff
• Conduct shift huddles and ensure proper staffing coverage at all times
• Monitor staff performance and participate in disciplinary or corrective actions as needed
• Ensure the facility maintains a safe, therapeutic, and structured environment consistent with program policies
• Oversee implementation of daily schedules, groups, activities, and client supervision protocols
• Respond to incidents, crises, or behavioral escalations and support staff in de-escalation efforts
• Ensure proper client observation levels, safety checks, and documentation compliance

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to state regulations, Joint Commission/CARF standards, and company policies
• Monitor shift documentation, incident reports, and communication logs for accuracy and timeliness
• Collaborate with Nursing, Clinical, Admissions, and Operations teams to support client care and census flow
• Participate in audits, inspections, and quality-improvement initiatives
• Assist leadership with SOP implementation and workflow improvements

Communication & Coordination

• Serve as primary point of contact for BHT staff during assigned shifts
• Communicate staffing needs, operational concerns, and incidents to leadership promptly
• Support cross-department collaboration to maintain smooth daily operations
• Participate in leadership meetings and provide input on staffing, safety, and client experience

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (Associates or Bachelors degree preferred)
• Prior experience in a behavioral health or substance abuse treatment setting
• Experience in a Lead BHT, BHT Supervisor, or similar leadership/operations role
• Strong knowledge of inpatient milieu management and client safety procedures
• Ability to manage crises, de-escalate situations, and support staff effectively

Preferred:

• Experience in medical detox and residential treatment environments
• Relevant behavioral health certification (e.g., CBHT, RBT, CNA, or equivalent, if applicable by state)
• CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)
• Experience with EMR systems and incident reporting workflows

Core Competencies

• Leadership and team development
• Crisis intervention and problem-solving
• Organization and scheduling management
• Strong communication and documentation oversight
• Ability to maintain calm, professional judgment in fast-paced inpatient settings