TECH - MH/BH (NO DEGREE)

Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) Richmond, VA

Horizon Health Corporation is seeking a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) for our brand new Crisis Receiving Center with 24 chairs in Richmond, VA. The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) provides direct support and care to individuals in a crisis stabilization environment. This role is responsible for maintaining a safe, therapeutic setting while assisting individuals with their daily needs and monitoring their wellbeing. The BHT conducts vital signs, assists with activities of daily living (ADLs), documents services in the Electronic Health Record (EHR), and supports the treatment team by providing exceptional customer service and crisis intervention techniques.

Direct Care & Patient Support

• Assists individuals with ADLs including eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring.
• Lifts, moves, or transports individuals using proper body mechanics and safety procedures.
• Conducts and documents vitals; reports abnormal results to the RN or attending physician.
• Performs and documents BAL testing, urine drug screens, and urine pregnancy tests.

Documentation & Monitoring

• Documents all services, interactions, and significant events in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Performs and records 15-minute safety checks on all individuals.
• Completes required charting in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Completes required 1:1 monitoring for individuals in seclusion or mechanical restraints every 15 minutes.

Crisis Intervention & Support

• Uses therapeutic de-escalation techniques to intervene with escalated individuals.
• Participates in restraints or seclusion procedures (if applicable) to maintain safety.
• Completes required 1:1 monitoring for individuals in seclusion or mechanical restraints every 15 minutes.

Safety & Environment

• Maintains the safety of the unit, individuals, and staff at all times.
• Conducts security screenings and inventories individual property upon admission.
• Ensures individuals receive orientation to the Observation Unit, including explanation of rights under DBHDS and DMAS regulations, grievance processes, expectations, and rules.

Additional Duties

• Attends court-ordered hearings as subpoenaed; provides testimony when required.
• Assists in maintaining cleanliness of the facility and assigned units.
• Performs light interior cleaning, collects soiled linens, and launders individual clothing as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefit Highlights for full-time positions:

• Competitive Compensation
• Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Plan
• 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
• Long and Short-term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts; Healthcare Savings Account
• Life Insurance
• Career development opportunities within the company
• Tuition Assistance
• Rewarding work environment Enjoy going to work every day!

Qualifications

• High School Graduate/GED required
• 1 3 years of related work experience required
• Ability to obtain a fingerprint clearance card required
• Food Handler's Card required
• Behavioral Health Technician certification required
• Adheres to safety protocols and organizational procedures
• Aggressive behavior management and de-escalation techniques
• Ability to organize and prioritize workloads to meet deadlines
• Experience working in an acute crisis, inpatient, detox, or emergency psychiatric environment strongly preferred
• Code procedures and emergency response protocols
• Psychiatric care and behavioral health treatment techniques
• Understanding of mental health disorders, substance use, trauma, and recovery models
• Admitting and intake procedures, and intake call handling
• Personal hygiene training techniques
• Knowledge of safety protocols, behavioral observation, and milieu management
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to actively participate in all aspects of care management
• Cultural competency and ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Competent in telephone, radio, and paging communication etiquette
• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Maintain confidentiality and practice strong professional judgment
• High level of integrity, reliability, and accountability
• Maintain therapeutic boundaries
• Team-oriented mindset and collaboration skills
• Demonstrate tact, patience, resourcefulness, and compassion
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to established policies and procedures
• A Perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress environment and meet deadlines, including training requirements
• Ability to adapt care to adolescents, adults, and geriatric individuals
• Ability to remain calm and effective in emergency situations
• Handle With Care or similar crisis-intervention training

EEO Statement

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.