Behavioral Health Technician

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives. The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) provides compassionate, hands-on support to patients experiencing behavioral health and substance use concerns, including mental health conditions, PTSD, emotional disturbances, and crisis situations. Working under the direction of the clinical care team, the BHT promotes patient safety, dignity, and a therapeutic environment while assisting with patient care, observation, and daily activities.

Job Description:

Essential Role Responsibilities

• Provide direct, compassionate assistance and support to patients in the Emergency Department.

• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), personal care needs, mobility, comfort, and other appropriate supportive tasks.

• Maintain continuous awareness of patient behavior and environmental safety, particularly for patients experiencing behavioral health crises.

• Observe, monitor, and document changes in patient mood, behavior, appearance, and overall condition.

• Obtain and document vital signs and other patient observations as directed by the clinical care team.

• Promptly communicate significant changes in patient behavior, condition, or safety concerns to the appropriate clinical staff.

• Maintain a safe, secure, and supportive environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

• Utilize AVADE training and approved de-escalation techniques to recognize, prevent, and safely respond to potentially harmful or escalating situations.

• Assist clinical staff with patient monitoring, behavioral health interventions, and other non-clinical patient care activities within the scope of the position.

• Maintain professional boundaries and interact with patients using dignity, empathy, respect, and trauma-informed communication.

• Complete required documentation and administrative duties accurately and in a timely manner.

• Maintain strict patient confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy, safety, and organizational policies.

• Collaborate effectively with nurses, providers, social workers, behavioral health professionals, security, and other members of the care team.

• Follow established procedures for patient belongings, safety precautions, observation levels, and behavioral health protocols.

• Participate in maintaining a clean, organized, and therapeutic patient care environment.

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Emergency Department operations and patient care.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Previous experience in behavioral health, healthcare, emergency services, mental health, substance use treatment, or a related field is preferred.

• BLS License required within 90 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Excellent active listening and observation skills.

• Ability to recognize and appropriately report changes in patient behavior or condition.

• Demonstrated ability to interact with patients and families with compassion, patience, dignity, and empathy.

• Ability to remain calm and professional during stressful, unpredictable, or potentially escalating situations.

• Ability to follow instructions, established safety procedures, and clinical protocols.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to a fast-paced Emergency Department environment.

• Physical ability to perform essential job functions, including patient support and safety-related duties, consistent with organizational requirements and training.

Work Environment

This position is based in a fast-paced Emergency Department and involves frequent interaction with patients experiencing acute behavioral health, emotional, psychiatric, or substance-related concerns. The Behavioral Health Technician must be prepared to work collaboratively with the care team and respond appropriately to changing patient needs while maintaining a safe, respectful, and therapeutic environment.

Pay Range:

The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled