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Discovery Behavioral Health
Calabasas, California

Technicians - Behavioral Health Tech I

Behavioral Health TechFull-Time

Listed compensation

$21-$23/hr

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 1 day ago · Verified live

Job Description

Cliffside Malibu

Cliffside Malibu is one of the nation’s premier drug and alcohol treatment centers, nestled in the Santa Monica mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California. Cliffside Malibu caters to discerning clients in a luxurious setting. Cliffside Malibu incorporates the Stages of Change model in its clinical modalities. Each client is assessed and placed in an individualized treatment plan that includes a holistic, healthy approach to lasting recovery.

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.

Eating Disorder Division

Providing supervision and support to patients during mealtimes requires staff to eat meals and snacks with patients.

Obtain Food Handling/Safety certification within 30 days of hire, training provided. Tasks include food temperature checks, expiration date checks, and proper food storage.

Must refrain from comments and actions that directly contradict the CFD Clinical Model and Dietary CARE model.

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
  • Eating Disorder Division: Minimum 1 year recovery from eating disorder if in recovery
  • Employment Status: Full-Time
  • Schedule: Overnight 10pm-830am
  • Work Location: On-Site in Malibu, CA
  • Compensation: Pay Range: $21-23/hr.

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 Technician is responsible for assisting and supporting patients throughout their treatment experience, including admission and discharge processes. They ensure patient safety, facilitate daily routines, lead psychoeducational groups, and provide necessary interventions during crisis situations.

Requirements

Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid, unrestricted state driver's license. The role requires obtaining and maintaining certifications in CPI, CPR, AED, and First Aid, as well as food handling safety.

Key Skills

Crisis interventionBehavioral health supportPsychoeducational group facilitationVitals monitoringTreatment plan implementation

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 40 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 43% have no call, 53% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$46k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $41k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Behavioral Health Tech Jobs

24 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution24 jobs · 14 employers

10
<$45k
8
$45k-50k
2
$52k
2
$59k
2
$69k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution24 jobs · 14 employers

0
1-2
0
3-4
1
5-6
23
7-8
0
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Behavioral Health Technician

Guidelight Health · Colorado Springs, Colorado

$26-$33/hr
#2

Virtual Behavioral Health Technician

Guidelight Health · Remote - Nationwide

$28-$33/hr
#3

Behavioral Health Technician at Hill (83693)

$26.91-$28.58/hr
#4

Behavioral Health Technician (83534)

$26.91-$28.58/hr
+ 22 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 1.5
Better work-life than 50% of Behavioral Health listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,240 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Calabasas

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.26M
Typical market rent
$4,023/mo
Residents’ average commute
34 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Discovery Behavioral Health logo

About Discovery Behavioral Health

Mental Health Care
Irvine, CA
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Full-Time
Training provided (CPI, CPR, AED, First Aid)