Emergency Department- Behavioral Health Technician- 40hr

Connecticut Children's Medical Center; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Connecticut Children’s is seeking a Behavioral Health Technician for the Emergency Department Zone C at our Hartford campus. You will support safety, health and comfort for pediatric patients, families and staff, collaborating with the care team to ensure a therapeutic environment.

Candidates must have a High School diploma or GED and at least one year of pediatric ED or psychiatric BH unit experience, plus BLS CPR; CPI certification within 3 months of hire is required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of one year experience in pediatric emergency department or psychiatric/behavioral health unit.
• CPR certification required (BLS) and CPI certification within 3 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assists RN with data collection during intake/admission for behavioral/psychiatric patients.
• Inventorying personal items and performing wanding at arrival; assists with clothing changes as part of care team.
• Monitors environment and notes signs of agitation, escalation, or risk to self or others.
• Maintains a safe, therapeutic environment and adheres to boundaries with patients, families and staff.
• Supports visitation guidelines and department policies.
• May rove as patient care partner as assigned by RN and shift lead.
• Assists patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and escorts patient off unit as needed.
• Completes patient documentation and records vital signs as delegated by RN.
• Assists with restraints under authorization of MD/Provider/Nurse.

Skills

De-escalation techniques

Team collaboration

Observation skills

Communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

BLS CPR certification

CPI certification

Job description

Hartford, CT, United States (On-site)

About Us

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children’s offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations that are closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families and team members.

At Connecticut Children’s, treating children isn’t just our job – it’s our passion. As a leading children’s health system experiencing steady growth, we’re excited to expand our team with exceptional team members who share our vision of transforming children’s health and well‑being as one team.

Connecticut Children’s offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package for eligible team members, including medical, dental and vision insurance, hospital paid life and disability coverage, paid time off and leave programs, education and training assistance, a retirement savings plan with hospital match, and an employment assistance program. Eligibility for certain benefits is based on scheduled hours worked. All team members are eligible to participate in the retirement savings plan, regardless of scheduled hours worked. Additional benefit information is available here .

Job Description

The Behavioral Health Technician promotes the safety, health and comfort of patients, families and staff in Zone C (Emergency Department) as related to the care of behavioral health/ psychiatry patients in the Emergency department. The Behavioral Health Technician’s primary assignment is Zone C of the Emergency Department.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Registered Nurse in collecting data of the patient during the intake/ admission process for behavioral/ psychiatric patients.
• Completes an inventory of personal items and appropriate wanding of patient/ belongings upon arrival. Acts as part of the care team conducting supervised clothing change. Secures as per department standard and returns personal items at the completion of the visit.
• Communicates to the team observations of the environment and patient indicators that a patient is escalating or at increased risk for agitation/ aggression or harm to self.
• Works to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment while maintaining boundaries for patients, families and staff.
• Supports visitation guidelines and policies as established by department and hospital.
• May be assigned to the role of intermittent/ roving patient care partner as determined by the primary RN assigned to care area and the shift charge RN
• Assists patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (bathing, dietary, escorting patient off unit, etc)
• Completes patient documentation as appropriate
• Obtains vital signs/ weights as delegated by Registered Nurse. In the event there are no patients in Zone C may support the main ED triage function as assigned by the charge nurse
• Helps in application and removal of physical restraints when directed to apply by the attending medical provider or primary nurse.
• Collaborates as a member of the care team to:
  • Contribute to the safe level of observations,
  • Contributes to the development and implementation of an individualized care plan as part of the care team. Does not independently develop or act on a care plan that is not vetted by the licensed team. Holds patients accountable for limits and boundaries as developed by the team.
  • Effectively utilizes knowledge and application of de-escalation techniques.
  • Assists with procedural holds as directed by MD, Provider and/or RN.
  • Obtain and test specimens (e.g. blood glucose, urine, pharyngeal swabs, etc.; 1 and 2 step point of care tests).
  • Perform EKGs.

Operations & Environment:

• Rounds continuously to observe for and early intervention of escalating situations.
• Ensures department has minimal hallway clutter and obstructions.
• Maintains the environment of care.
• Completes daily safety checks and restocking function (equipment, restraints, supplies)
• Participates in post restraint huddle.

Customer Service:

• Establishes effective relationships with patients, families, staff and external customers/ consultants to the team.

Quality:

• Is accountable for departmental and hospital quality and safety initiatives and goals.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the age-related differences and needs of patients in appropriate, specific populations from neonate through adolescence and applies them to practice. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families.
• Values cultural diversity and other individual differences in the workforce.
• Demonstrates support for the mission, values and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with Connecticut Children’s standards.
• Performs other related responsibilities as assigned.
  

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Required:

• Education Required: High School diploma or GED required.
• Experience Required: Minimum of one year (1) experience in pediatric emergency department or psychiatric/ behavioral health unit.

License and/or Certification Required:

• BLS CPR for Healthcare provider, required upon hire and maintained current at all times
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI) certification required within 3 months of hire and maintained current at all times (use this same language in the patient care partner JD)

Connecticut Children’s is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, national orientation, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability.

Job Info

• Job Identification 5787
• Job Category Clinical Support
• Posting Date 10/15/2026, 07:27 PM
• Job Shift Day
• Locations 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT, 06106, US (On-site)
• Scheduled Days and Hours Sun-Sat, 7a-7:30op with weekend and holiday rotations