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Guardian Recovery
Portland, Maine

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECH

Behavioral Health TechFull-Time

Listed compensation

$20/hour

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 56m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Job Location: Pine Tree Recovery Center LLC - Portland, ME 04103
  • Position Type: Full Time
  • Education Level: High School Diploma or Equivalent
  • Salary Range: $20.00 - $20.00 Hourly
  • Travel Percentage: Negligible
  • Job Shift: Mid (Second Shift)

Position Purpose

The purpose of the BHT is to assist in providing a safe environment for individuals while they are in the program. Behavioral Health Tech assists in the admission process, answers client questions and assists clients in adjusting to the program routine.

Behavioral Health Tech is the liaison between the client and the staff to report any changes in the client’s physical or mental condition. The Behavioral Health Tech is responsible for supervising clients with emphasis on client safety and wellbeing.

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION: Graduation from High School or GED. Must have two years of continuous sobriety prior to hire, if a recovering alcoholic or drug addict and participate in a self-help program, EXPERIENCE: None LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION: Current CPR Valid Driver's License preferred Maine specific requirement: Minimum of an ADCA required within 30 days of hire. If not currently held, ADCA or higher must be obtained within 30 days of start date.

Knowledge and Training Required at Time of Hire

General knowledge of addictions and mental health complications. General knowledge of 12-Step Recovery Program. Knowledge and competency in problem solving, stress management, ethics and team building.

General knowledge of alcohol and other drugs that includes: Alcohol and addictive drugs and their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual impact on the individual. Alcohol and addictive drugs and their impact on the family.

Ability to determine if a medical emergency exists and to take appropriate action, when necessary. Knowledge of emergency procedures used in case of alcohol and/or drug overdose. Knowledge of the stages of alcohol and other drug withdrawals and ability to take appropriate action at each stage.

Knowledge of Federal, State and Municipal laws and/or regulations that regulate the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, including: Confidentiality Client Rights Professional Code of Ethics Discrimination Knowledge of airborne and blood borne pathogens (TB, HIV, AIDS, HB) and risk reduction methodologies and the use of universal precautions.

Flexibility to adapt to schedule changes and assumption of responsibilities not delineated in the job description which are related to work as a member of an addiction treatment team. AGE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS SERVED/ RESPONSIBILITY: Adults or Adolescents SPECIFIC AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY TO POSITION: 1.

Assist with the admission process on new client admissions and orientation procedures and schedules. 2. Record inventory of all personal belongings, valuables and return tickets. Tickets and valuables to be kept in the safe. 3. Facilitate all orientation groups with clients. 4.

Fill out required lab requisitions per protocol. 5. Know where clients are at all times. 6. Transport clients in company vehicles as needed. 7. De-escalate AMA and other client problems. 8. Participate in all department and staff meetings as scheduled. 9.

Provides liaison with staff and other tech to ensure that all clients’ needs are met. 10. Provide supervision of meals. 11. Ensure that garbage is disposed of properly after each meal. 12. Monitor group rooms to ensure cleanliness after each activity. 13.

Hand off information necessary for oncoming staff at the end of shift. Maintains logbook for the continuity of care. Participates in shift turnover and ensures that the next shift has Tech on duty. 14. Participate in required staff training. 15.

Supervise clients who are completing the program with emphasis on client safety and wellbeing. 16. Remind clients of program rules and regulations as necessary and report infractions appropriately. 17. Provide emotional support for clients while referring them to clinical staff to deal with clinical issues. 18.

Complete HGC screening per protocol. 19. Complete breathalyzer testing per protocol. 20. Complete pain screening per protocol. 21. Complete incident reports according to policy in a timely, accurate manner. 22. Communicate with other staff as necessary to promote quality client care. 23.

Complete UA Screen Collection as needed per protocol. 24. Conducts vital checks and suicide screenings per protocol. 25. Observe and report safety and maintenance problems. 26. Interact appropriately with clients, showing them respect while maintaining boundaries. 27.

Exercise sound professional judgment and seek assistance as necessary to effectively manage client behavior. 28.

Protect the privacy of all client information in accordance with GRNH, LLC’s privacy policies, procedures, and practices, as required by federal and state law, and in accordance with general principle of professionalism as a healthcare provider.

Failure to comply with the company’s policies and procedures on client privacy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. 29. May access protected health information (PHI) and other patent information only to the extent that it is necessary to complete your job duties.

The incumbent may only share such information with those who have specific client information you have in your possession to complete their job responsibilities related to treatment, payment or other GRNH, LLC operations. 30.

Expected to report, without the threat of retaliation, any concerns regarding GRNH, LLC’s policies and procedures on client privacy and any observed practices in violation of the policy to their supervisor. 31. Perform other duties assigned. Maine Specific: 30.

Peer recovery educational groups if ADCA certified or above. Texas Only: 1. Ability to recognize signs of withdrawal 2. Client observation and monitoring skills/ procedures 3. Knowledge of pregnancy related complications 4. Knowledge of complications requiring transfers 5. Knowledge of appropriate interventions 6.

Knowledge of frequently used medications including purpose, precautions, and side effects Level of Care Specific: 1. Residential, PHP and Halfway House Only: a. Medication Administration Maine Specific: 30. Peer recovery educational groups if ADCA certified or above. Texas Only: 1.

Ability to recognize signs of withdrawal 2. Client observation and monitoring skills/ procedures 3. Knowledge of pregnancy related complications 4. Knowledge of complications requiring transfers 5. Knowledge of appropriate interventions 6. Knowledge of frequently used medications including purpose, precautions, and side effects

Key Responsibilities

Supervise clients in an addiction treatment program, support admissions and orientation, monitor client safety and wellbeing, and report changes in clients’ physical or mental condition. Complete screenings and documentation, respond to behavioral or medical concerns, communicate with staff across shifts, and protect client privacy.

Requirements

A high school diploma or GED is required, along with a minimum ADCA credential within 30 days of starting; current CPR is required and a valid driver’s license is preferred. No prior experience is required, but candidates need general knowledge of addiction and mental health, emergency procedures, withdrawal, confidentiality, and recovery programs; applicants in recovery must have two years of continuous sobriety and participate in a self-help program.

Certifications

CPR (preferred)

Key Skills

Client SupervisionAdmission and OrientationDe-escalationAddiction Recovery KnowledgeMental Health AwarenessEmergency ResponseWithdrawal RecognitionVital Signs MonitoringSuicide ScreeningUrine Sample CollectionDocumentation and Incident ReportingConfidentiality and PrivacyProfessional Boundaries

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 40 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 83% have no call, 55% require no weekends.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 7.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Behavioral Health by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$33k–$42kBehavioral Health median $42k (middle half $37k–$47k)687 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$39k in purchasing powerMaine index 97.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Work settingon-sitepeers: 83% no call · 55% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedUS healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 5% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 12% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Behavioral Health listings868 in the last 30 days483 the 30 days before (+80%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Behavioral Health pay trend−7.4% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Behavioral Health Tech Jobs

22 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

22 jobs · 17 employers
3
$40k
7
$40k-45k
8
$45k-50k
3
$52k
1
$56k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

13 jobs
401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
31%
Sign-on bonus
15%
Loan repayment
8%
PSLF eligible
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Therapeutic Recreation Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

New Horizon Community Care · Tolleson, Arizona

$23-$27/hr
#2

Behavioral Health Technician

Discovery Behavioral Health · Fairfax, Virginia

$16-$25/hr
#3

Behavioral Health Tech IV

$22-$25/hr
#4

Behavioral Health Associate I

$20-$25/hr
+ 20 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 1,213 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Portland

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$563k
Typical market rent
$2,399/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
101.9
State income tax
Up to 7.2%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Portland-South Portland, ME metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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