Denver Health
Denver, Colorado
Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) - Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES)
Listed compensation
$21 - $28.52/hr
Listing transparency3 of 6 stated
Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and nights and shift pattern.
- Employment & setting
- Full-Time
- Call expectations
- Includes call
- Weekends
- Not specified
Posted 3mo ago
Job Description
- ability | Transparency Department Psych ER Job Summary Under close super
- vision, responsible for providing a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients. Provides direct patient care and may conduct therapeutic group sessions under the direction and super
- vision of the RN. Provides input to the RN to help develop the plan of care and assists in carrying out the plan of care for assigned patients. Assists with the admission of new patients and orients new patients and families to the unit. Essential Functions: Assists with admissions, discharges, transfers and appropriate documentation. Obtains vital signs on assigned adolescent adult, and geriatric patients. Collects laboratory specimens on assigned patients as directed by RN staff. (25%) Performs transportation responsibilities when requested; transporting patients from one area to another; delivering laboratory specimens, blood products, medications and other hospital/medical items to the requested departments as needed; and includes access to the pneumatic tube system to transport items, including blood products and medications, to and from the tube and the desired location. (25%) Differentiates normal from abnormal findings and reports abnormal values or conditions to the RN. (EX. abnormal vital signs, safety concerns, family issues.). (20%) Ensures confidentiality of patient information by creating and maintaining a secure and trusting environment by not sharing information learned on the job, except when necessary in the performance of the job responsibilities or to improve a patient’s care. Provides care to patients in seclusion/restraint according to 27-10 regulations and department policy and procedure. Is aware of legal aspects of care as defined by C. S. 27-10 including patients’ rights. (10%) Promotes positive interpersonal (customer) relationships with fellow employees, physicians, patients and visitors. Treats these individuals with courtesy, dignity, empathy and respect; consistently displays courteous and respectful verbal and non-verbal communications. (10%) Adheres to, complies with and demonstrates support for the mission and values of Denver Health. Supports and adheres to the Denver Health Values of Trust, Respect, & Excellence. Adheres to Denver Health and departmental attendance guidelines. (10%) For Patient Care Positions: (0%) Ensures all duties, responsibilities and competencies are conducted in a manner that is effective and appropriate to patients/clients to who care/service is being provided. (0%) Demonstrates knowledge and applic
- ability of the principles of growth and development over the life span, as well as demonstrating the ability to assess data reflecting the patient’s status and interpreting appropriate cultural information of the patient(s) to whom care/ services is being delivered/provided. (0%) Employee has completed and met their clinical competency standards. (0%) Education: High School Diploma or GED Required Work Experience: Two years’ experience in the field or related area preferred or an equivalent combination Required Licenses: BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Demonstrates sensitivity in dealing with the psychiatric patient population which requires very specific communication skills as directed by the plan of care and ability to deal with milieu management. Knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Skill in assisting patients with daily activities. Human relations and effective communication skills. Ability to demonstrate and maintain clinic competency. Ability to observe and document the patient’s behavior. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Basic MS Office suite.
- ability and life insurance. Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation) Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more Tuition reimbursement & assistance Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer About Denver Health Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation. As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year. Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer. Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled. We Love Our Purpose Our purpose shapes our culture and guides how we show up—for our patients, our communities, and one another. Every role at Denver Health contributes to improving lives, advancing health equity, and strengthening the communities we serve. Together, we strive to transform the health of our patients and to be the most trusted healthcare provider in Colorado. Our values—respect, belonging, transparency, and account
- ability—are the foundation of our culture and are reflected across every position, clinical and nonclinical alike. No matter where you work at Denver Health, your role has a meaningful impact on patient health—often in ways you may not even realize. We invest in our people through resources designed to support both immediate success and long-term growth. Mentorship programs, tuition assistance, and our Workforce Development Center help employees transition seamlessly into their roles while preparing for future advancement. We also lead the market with a competitive benefits package, including retirement contributions with a match of up to 9.5%. Recognizing the emotional and physical demands of many jobs in healthcare, we created the RESTORE Center—a leading-edge space that provides intentional peer-support, and an innovative environment designed to reduce burnout and support employee well-being. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey. Learn more about Denver Health.
Key Responsibilities
Provide a safe and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients through direct care and the facilitation of therapeutic group sessions. Assist with admissions, discharges, and the monitoring of vital signs while reporting abnormal findings to the RN.
Requirements
Requires a High School Diploma or GED and BLS/CPR certification from the American Heart Association. Two years of experience in a related field is preferred.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Certifications
BLS (preferred)
Key Skills
Vital Signs MonitoringCrisis InterventionTherapeutic CommunicationClinical DocumentationSpecimen CollectionPatient TransportationPsychiatric CarePatient OrientationInterpersonal Skills
Psychiatry Career Context
Of the 40 active Psychiatry listings this role was benchmarked against, 45% have no call, 53% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Colorado is 103.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$52k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $50k in an average-cost state. 60.9% of Colorado clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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Work-life snapshot
3.0/ 10
Listing-based score
Listing-based score
- Includes call
Living in Denver
- Typical 3-bedroom home value
- $560k
- Typical market rent
- $1,881/mo
- Residents’ average commute
- 25 min
- State income tax
- Up to 4.4%
Sources & methodology
Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.
City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.
Benefits & Perks
Paid time off starting at 28 days per year
100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
Retirement plan with employer contribution up to 9.5%
Medical, dental, vision plans
Employer paid disability and life insurance
Well-being programs including on-site fitness center and RESTORE Center
Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
Childcare discount programs