Technicians - Behavioral Health Tech III
Listed compensation
$19-$24/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about call expectations, nights and shift pattern, benefits and time off.
Job Description
Center for Discovery
At Discovery, we offer career opportunities nationwide in residential, day treatment, and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment. Discovery is currently seeking Program Directors, Primary Therapists, Facility Managers, Counselors/Mental Health Specialists, Dietitians, Diet Techs, and Nurses. Discovery is specifically seeking individuals who consistently strive to provide exemplary care and are passionate about transforming the lives of others.
If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career in the behavioral health field, the first step is to look for Open job positions that match your skills, qualifications and interest. Each posting includes a description and minimum required qualifications.
When we review candidate information, we are looking for the best matches for the position based on the qualifications listed in the job posting. If your skills and experience appear to match an open position, a recruitment services professional or hiring manager may contact you to further discuss your qualifications.
Position Summary
Behavioral Health Tech III (BHT III) is responsible for assisting and supporting patients through the entire treatment experience from admission through discharge. BHT III will be contributing insightful, practical, and meaningful information to the treatment planning process. BHT III 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 all 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 patient during admission and discharge processes. This may include checking in patient belongings, acclimating patient to the program, preparing patient for returning home.
Monitors patient activity and documents any significant patient issues. Completes all shift notes, group notes, and other required documentation by the end of shift.
- Maintains and organized and safe environment, and performs basic housekeeping duties.
- Conducts regular facility and grounds checks, advising facility leadership of any irregularities or safety concerns.
- Facilitates and leads daily groups as directed by facility leadership if applicable.
- 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.
Provides transportation services including patient transportation/supervision, errands, shopping, admits, outings, etc. (must be pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle).
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.
- Must refrain from comments and actions that directly contradict the CFD Clinical Model and Dietary CARE model.
- Familiarizes and adopts the Philosophy, Mission, Goals, and Objectives of the Center for Discovery treatment programs.
- Has basic knowledge of the clinical orientation and interventions used at Center for Discovery.
Residential Treatment Only
In states where permissible, passing medicine will be required. Training and/or required certification will be provided.
Knowledge, Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- High School Diploma (or equivalent) preferred
- Two or more years experience working within the mental health, substance use or eating disorder field required
- 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, along with Food Handling/Safety certification within 30 days of hire, 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: Sunday-Thursday 2-10:30pm
- Work Location: On Site - Chicago, IL
- Compensation: Pay Range: $19-24 per hour
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 III assists and supports patients throughout their treatment experience, from admission to discharge. Responsibilities include ensuring patient safety, facilitating psychoeducational groups, and contributing to the treatment planning process.
Requirements
Candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent, with a bachelor's degree preferred. A minimum of two years of experience in mental health, substance use, or eating disorder fields is required, along with a valid driver's license.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Technicians - Behavioral Health Tech III at Discovery Behavioral Health a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Clinical Psychology (Behavioral Health Tech) — ranked against 34 active Clinical Psychology (Behavioral Health Tech) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.
Clinical Psychology Career Context
In Illinois, the Clinical Psychology weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$55k (15 salary observations; 121 listings), vs ~$56k nationally (189 salary observations; 5,469 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-02-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
Of the 40 active Clinical Psychology listings this role was benchmarked against, 83% have no call, 48% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.0 / 10 · above average in clinical psychology (behavioral health tech) | ranked against 34 Clinical Psychology (Behavioral Health Tech) listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $40k–$50k | Clinical Psychology median $47k (middle half $43k–$58k)18 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Illinois vs national | $55k median in Illinois | $56k nationally (−1%)15 state / 189 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$45k in purchasing power | Illinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| All clinical psychology listings in Illinois | 45 active | 1,625 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 83% no call · 48% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 5% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 13% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Clinical Psychology listings | 202 in the last 30 days | 112 the 30 days before (+80%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Clinical Psychology pay trend (all specialties) | −4.5% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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