Lead Behavioral Health Technician

BBH Burrell Behavioral Health; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Employee benefits package

Top-notch training

Career mobility

Welcoming, supportive culture

Job summary

Burrell Behavioral Health in Independence, MO is seeking a Lead Behavioral Health Technician to guide on-shift staff, support clients in a safe, recovery‑focused setting, and model trauma‑informed care.

This leadership role blends hands‑on client care with supervision, onboarding, documentation, and program coordination. You’ll mentor technicians, help implement procedures, and uphold a respectful, compliant work environment. Strong communication and crisis‑de-escalation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, or related field
• Experience in human services, behavioral health, mental health, or substance use treatment preferred
• Exceptions to qualifications may be approved by an Executive Team member

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Behavioral Health Technicians on shift with guidance and real-time coaching
• Supervise daily activities of clients while maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment
• Model professional boundaries and trauma-informed care practices
• De-escalate crises using approved behavioral management techniques with direction from Program Leadership
• Assist with training, onboarding, and supervision of Behavioral Health Technicians
• Prepare or assist in preparation of group education materials and curricula development
• Ensure accurate, timely documentation in compliance with state regulatory and CARF standards
• Adhere to medication administration policies and support team compliance
• Assist with staff scheduling, shift coverage, and staff meetings
• Complete performance reviews for direct reports within designated timeframes
• Perform all core duties of a Behavioral Health Technician as required

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Trauma-informed care

Crisis de-escalation

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, or related field

High School Diploma or GED with 2+ years of experience

Tools

Electronic medical record (EMR) documentation

Job description

Job Title: Lead Behavioral Health Technician

Location: Independence, MO

Department: Adult Housing

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

The Lead Behavioral Health Technician plays a vital role in creating a safe, supportive, and recovery-focused environment for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. This is an opportunity to step into a leadership role where your compassion, clinical awareness, and ability to guide others truly make a difference. You’ll join a collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to helping individuals stabilize, heal, and move forward—while also supporting and mentoring fellow Behavioral Health Technicians. In this role, you will assist the Clinical Team with treatment procedures, supervise and support clients/patients, and provide leadership and direction to Behavioral Health Technicians working the same shift. You will model appropriate behavior, orient clients to program expectations, and help onboard and guide staff in daily operations. This position blends hands-on client care with leadership responsibilities in a fast-paced behavioral health, mental health, and substance use treatment setting. This position offers… Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition Workplace Culture – An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce Additional Perks & Benefits – Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support Behavioral Health Technicians on shift, providing guidance, direction, and real-time coaching
• Supervise daily activities of clients/patients while fostering a safe, therapeutic, and structured community
• Model professional conduct, appropriate boundaries, and trauma-informed care practices
• De-escalate crisis situations using approved behavioral management techniques with direction from Program Leadership
• Facilitate education, skill-building, and recreational groups as scheduled
• Assist with training, onboarding, and supervision of Behavioral Health Technicians
• Prepare or assist in preparation of group education materials and curricula development
• Ensure accurate, timely documentation in compliance with state regulatory and CARF standards
• Adhere to medication administration policies and support team compliance
• Assist with staff scheduling, shift coverage, and facilitate staff meetings as needed
• Complete performance reviews for direct reports within designated timeframes
• Perform all core duties of a Behavioral Health Technician as required

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, or a closely related field OR High School Diploma or GED with a minimum of two (2) years of responsible employment history
• Experience in human services, behavioral health, mental health, or substance use treatment preferred
• Exceptions to qualifications may be approved by an Executive Team member

For Residential Care Facilities

Ability to obtain Level 1 Med Aid (LIMA) credential and Insulin Certification within the first 90 days

Additional Qualifications

• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record and active auto insurance
• Ability to meet all background check, abuse/neglect screening, and regulatory requirements
• Leadership skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and support team success
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including electronic medical record documentation
• Ability to establish rapport with diverse client populations while maintaining professional boundaries
• Must attain required certifications and trainings within designated timeframes as outlined by program standards

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods throughout the shift
• Ability to climb stairs and move throughout a residential or clinical settingFrequent bending, kneeling, crouching, and stooping as needed
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Ability to use hands for writing, typing, and operating electronic systems
• Clear vision, hearing, and communication abilities to support client care and crisis response

Position Perks & Benefits

• Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life
• Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more
• Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive
• Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within
• Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance use care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients. As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Burrell Behavioral Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.

About Brightli

Brightli is on a mission: A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance use care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients. We are doing this by forming a new behavioral health organization under new model. Under one parent company, multiple organizations are able to collaborate, share resources and system supports, increase recruiting and retention efforts, increase access to specialized care, and meet the growing demand for behavioral and addiction recovery care. Brightli’s top-line subsidiaries include Burrell Behavioral Health (Burrell), Preferred Family Healthcare (PFH), Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health (SEMO), Firefly, Adult and Child Health, and Places for People. While these organizations operate independently and are governed by separate board of directors, their operations and services benefit from this model. Alone, organizations may be able to navigate the current tumultuous healthcare environment, but we believe that together we can do so much more than survive. Our communities need us now more than ever, and by working together we are ready to answer their call for years to come.

Brightli Snapshot

200 locations 4 states 19 subsidiaries and/or affiliates 5k+ employees