Behavioral Health Operations Manager

Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) Manager

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) Manager provides leadership, supervision, and operational oversight to the Behavioral Health Technician team within a residential behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment facility. This position is responsible for ensuring BHT staff provide safe, consistent, professional, and client-centered support while maintaining appropriate staffing levels and adherence to facility policies, clinical expectations, regulatory requirements, and established standards of care.

The BHT Manager serves as the primary leader for the BHT department and works closely with Clinical, Nursing, Medical, Human Resources, and Operations leadership to promote effective communication, staff accountability, client safety, and a therapeutic treatment environment.

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in behavioral health, psychology, social work, human services, healthcare administration, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, residential treatment, or a related healthcare environment required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in supervisory/management role required.
• Experience supervising BHTs, Behavioral Health Associates, Mental Health Technicians, or similar direct-care staff preferred.
• Knowledge of behavioral health treatment, trauma-informed care, professional boundaries, crisis intervention, and therapeutic milieu management.
• Experience with Joint Commission and BHA regulatory standards.
• Training or certification in crisis prevention, de-escalation, and CPR/First Aid.
• CAT/CAS Certification strongly preferred.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop employees, address performance concerns, and maintain accountability.
• Adept at effective staffing and resource management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to implement and maintain structured operational workflows to ensure daily activities run seamlessly and efficiently.
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
• Ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment during challenging or emergency situations.
• Ability to lead and train a team to effectively work with clients experiencing behavioral health and substance use disorders.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and other applicable privacy requirements.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet organizational driving requirements.
• Proficient with Google Suite or related software.
• Adept at quickly learning multiple computer systems and platforms.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide direct supervision, leadership, coaching, and performance management for Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs).
• Oversee BHT scheduling, shift coverage, and staffing needs to ensure appropriate coverage based on census, client needs, and facility operations.
• Monitor overtime and staffing utilization and make appropriate adjustments in collaboration with leadership.
• Participate in the interviewing, onboarding, training, and development of BHT staff.
• Establish and reinforce expectations related to attendance, professionalism, communication, documentation, client interactions, and job performance.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and respect.
• Serve as an accessible leadership resource for BHT staff while maintaining appropriate supervisory boundaries.
• Ensure required client observations, rounds, searches, transportation, activities, groups, and other assigned BHT responsibilities are completed appropriately.
• Ensure staff maintain appropriate professional boundaries and interactions with clients.
• Provide support and leadership during behavioral concerns, crises, safety incidents, and other challenging situations.
• Monitor BHT documentation and departmental practices for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with facility policies and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Clinical, Nursing, Medical, Human Resources, and Operations leadership to address client, staffing, safety concerns, and operational needs.
• Address employee performance, conduct, attendance, and policy concerns promptly and consistently in partnership with Human Resources.
• Monitor daily BHT operations and address barriers that may interfere with client care or facility operations.
• Participate in incident review, quality improvement, compliance, and facility safety initiatives.
• Maintain effective communication between BHT staff, shifts, departments, and facility leadership.
• Assist with the development and implementation of BHT policies, procedures, workflows, and performance standards.
• Assist leadership with preparation for audits, surveys, licensing reviews, and accreditation activities as appropriate.
• Participate in leadership meetings as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned based on client care, staffing, and operational needs.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of walking, standing, sitting at a desk and working/typing on a computer.
• Sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, climb steps, hear, see, speak.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

Benefits & Perks:

Health and Wellness

• Medical, dental and vision insurance*
• Supplemental accident and hospital indemnity coverage*
• Voluntary Term Life insurance*
• Employee Assistance Program
• Monthly wellness reimbursement*

Financial

• Competitive salary
• Employee recognition and rewards programs
• Employee referral incentive program
• Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan

Work/Life Perks

• Professional growth and development
• Continuing education reimbursement
• Unlimited paid time off (exempt employees) + sick days
• Paid time off policy (non-exempt employees) + sick days
• Paid holidays (exempt) or ability to earn 1.5x base hourly rate (non-exempt)

*Full-time employees

This description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.