Discovery Behavioral Health logo
Discovery Behavioral Health
Tacoma, Washington

Behavioral Health Tech I

Behavioral Health TechFull-Time

Listed compensation

$20-$22/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Prosperity Wellness Center

At Prosperity Wellness Center, we know the best way to predict the future of healthcare is to create it. As a member of our growing team, you will have a voice in the creation of life-changing programs and treatment centers nationwide. Working collaboratively with the best and the brightest in our industry, you will be part of an innovative team of professionals committed to generating positive and remarkable outcomes for the clients we serve.

If you are looking for an organization that thrives on growth, celebrates diversity of thought, and rewards passionate execution, you've come to the right place. Because we put clients first, it is our honor to support and reward those who serve them.

Position Summary

Behavioral Health Tech I (BHT I) is responsible for assisting and supporting patients through the entire treatment experience from admission through discharge. BHT I will be contributing insightful, practical, and meaningful information to the treatment planning process. BHT I responsibilities primarily include ensuring patient safety, providing patient interventions, leading psychoeducational groups, and supporting patients.

Essential Job Functions

  • Adheres to all DBH policies and procedures.
  • Conducts self in a manner that represents DBH values.
  • Maintains a positive and respectful attitude.
  • Provides exemplary customer service to all patients.
  • Exhibits understanding and respect for cultural and lifestyle diversity.
  • Understand and maintain professional boundaries and professional ethics.
  • Follows directions as given by facility leadership.

Maintains confidentiality of patient information and records; and of facility/company proprietary, privileged, and/or confidential information.

Facilitates patient daily needs per the program schedule, including but not limited to: waking/bedtime routines and hygiene, meals/snacks, bathroom safety observations, free time.

Assists Nursing staff with duties as directed, for example: patient supervision, vitals, room searches, patient searches, etc.

  • Recognizes, responds to, and assists in crisis situations and provides interventions as appropriate.
  • Consistently reports to work on time and prepared to perform the duties of the position.
  • Assists in the implementation of individual patient treatment plans per clinical team.

Supports patients during admission and discharge processes. This may include checking in patient belongings, acclimating patients to the program, preparing patients for returning home

Monitors patient activity and documents any significant patient issues. Ensure accuracy and timely completion of all shift notes, group notes, and other required documentation by the end of shift.

Maintains an organized and safe environment and performs basic housekeeping duties.

Conducts regular facility and grounds checks, advising facility leadership of any irregularities or safety concerns.

Responsible for scheduled shifts and finding coverage if a shift cannot be worked, unless experiencing an emergency

  • Attends all staff meetings and in-service trainings.
  • Completes all online training, policy verification, and ensures that their employee HR file is kept up to date.
  • Observes infection control policies and participates in proper hand hygiene
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Substance Use Division

Accurately and securely collecting urine specimens including verifying donor identification, ensuring chain of custody, and following specific handling procedures

Residential Treatment Only

In states where permissible, passing medicine will be required. Training and/or required certification will be provided.

Provides transportation services including patient transportation/supervision, errands, shopping, admits, outings, etc. (must be pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle).

Knowledge, Education & Experience

  • High School Diploma (or equivalent) preferred
  • Valid and unrestricted State Driver’s License
  • Must obtain and maintain CPI certification within 90 days of hire, training provided
  • Must obtain and maintain CPR, AED, and First Aid, training provided
  • Substance Use Division: Minimum 1 year sobriety if in recovery
  • Employment status: Full time
  • Schedule: Friday-Tuesday 7am-3:30pm
  • Work location: Tacoma, WA
  • Compensation range: $20-22 hourly

Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce.

We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Key Responsibilities

The Behavioral Health Tech I assists and supports patients throughout their treatment experience, from admission to discharge. Responsibilities include ensuring patient safety, facilitating psychoeducational groups, and providing clinical interventions as directed by the treatment team.

Requirements

Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid, unrestricted driver's license. The role requires obtaining and maintaining certifications in CPI, CPR, AED, and First Aid within 90 days of hire.

Key Skills

Crisis interventionClinical supportUrine specimen collection

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 40 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% have no call, 48% require no weekends.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 5.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Behavioral Health by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score5.1 / 10 · above average in behavioral healthranked against 1,294 Behavioral Health listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$42k–$46kBehavioral Health median $53k (middle half $51k–$53k)14 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$41k in purchasing powerWashington index 107.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Behavioral Health listings in Washington31 active1,314 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 68% no call · 48% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedUS healthcare professional listings: 5% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 14% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Oct 2026
Behavioral Health pay trend−5.0% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (1,294 Behavioral Health listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$44k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$3k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Behavioral Health Tech Jobs

21 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

21 jobs · 16 employers
8
<$45k
8
$45k-50k
5
$52k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

16 jobs
401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
19%
Sign-on bonus
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Behavioral Health Technician

Discovery Behavioral Health · Fairfax, Virginia

$16-$25/hr
#2

Behavioral Health Tech IV

Koniag Government Services · Crow Agency, Montana

$22-$25/hr
#3

Behavioral Health Associate I

$20-$25/hr
#4

Behavioral Health Technician- AFTERNOONS (2:30 PM - 11 PM)

$21-$25/hr
+ 19 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 5.1
Better work-life than 70% of Behavioral Health listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,294 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Tacoma

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$483k
Typical market rent
$1,773/mo
Residents’ average commute
29 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.