Behavioral Health Tech, BHU

Behavioral Health TechIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$18.25-$27.38/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 42m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Our growth is creating great opportunities! Our team is growing and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Once you've had a chance to explore our current open positions, please apply to the one you feel best suits you! You can keep track of your progress in the selection process as well as stay updated on new positions that might interest you.

Shift: 11a-1130p w/ Weekends

Scheduled Weekly Hours

36

Position Purpose

The BHT is a part of the multidisciplinary treatment team and works directly with mentally ill or intellectually and developmentally disabled patients. Provides for personal care and comfort of psychiatric patients under the direction of the registered nurse.

Essential Functions

Participates in the development, review, and implementation of interdisciplinary treatment plans under the supervision of the registered nurse.

Continuously observes, evaluates, and communicates patients’ responses to therapeutic activities and reports changes or unusual occurrences to the multidisciplinary team.

Supervises and participates with patients in group or individual recreational, social, and related activities under the direction of the registered nurse and/or program therapist.

Ensures patient hygiene, grooming, activities of daily living, and nutrition to support patient independence and overall recovery.

Demonstrates ability to display compassion, empathy, and calmness in all situations, including stressful interactions with patients/families/visitors/coworkers.

Perform basic nursing procedures of vital signs, specimen collection, and escorting patients to activities and/or scheduled tests.

Completes safety rounding to maintain therapeutic, secure, and safe environment for patients/staff/visitors and documents accordingly.

Intervenes appropriately and therapeutically in crisis situations using crisis intervention prevention techniques (i. e. MOAB).

Screens all visitors for appropriateness, directs visitors to designated areas, and ensures no contraband is brought into the unit. Intervenes appropriately when unusual activities are identified including but not limited to: reporting to registered nurse, asking visitor to leave the premises, removing contraband).

  • Responsible for one on one observation for high risk patients.
  • Assembles, processes, and maintains the patients’ paper chart.
  • Maintains a clean, neat, safe, orderly and businesslike environment at the nursing station in order to assist members of the health care team in the performance of their jobs despite high-stress factors.
  • Demonstrates proficient and effective clerical support for the unit.
  • Demonstrates accountability for controlling and ordering unit supplies, as requested.
  • Promptly answers patients' call lights and requests.
  • Maintains a professional attitude and behavior which enhances the efficacy therapeutic environment.

Maintains good working relations among all nursing unit personnel and other hospital employees through appropriate communication.

With specialized training, and written approval, may perform additional and specialized tasks pertinent to assigned area.

  • Accepts reassignment as needed to provide necessary care for all patients.
  • Supports an environment conducive to professional practice by functioning as a role model and resource person.

Specialized Know-How & Requirements

Current CNA certification required. Must be active as a CNA on the IL Health Care Worker Registry.

  • Completion of advanced MOAB training within 90 days of hire.
  • Experience in behavioral health setting preferred.
  • Knowledge of psychiatric patient care techniques and terminology strongly preferred.
  • Strong operational knowledge in Microsoft Windows/Office products and the ability to learn the CGH order entry system preferred.
  • BLS Required within 30 days of hire.

Compensation Range

  • $18.25 - $27.38
  • Available Benefits for Benefit Eligible Positions
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund)
  • Retirement Fund (457 and 401A Plan)
  • Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
  • Life Insurance
  • Short and Long Term Disability
  • Optional Insurances
  • Paid Time Off
  • Tuition Reimbursement and Loan Forgiveness
  • Gift Shop Discount
  • CGH Day Care Discount
  • CGH Dietary Discount
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • CGH Pharmacy Discount

CGH Vision Center Discount

Thank you for your interest in a career at CGH Medical Center.

Key Responsibilities

The Behavioral Health Tech provides direct personal care and support to psychiatric patients under the direction of a registered nurse. They participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, monitor patient responses, and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a current CNA certification on the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry and obtain BLS certification within 30 days of hire. Completion of advanced MOAB training is required within 90 days of starting the position.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Vital signs monitoringMicrosoft Office

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 40 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 83% have no call, 48% require no weekends.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 3.9% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Behavioral Health by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$38k–$57kBehavioral Health median $46k (middle half $44k–$58k)20 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$47k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Behavioral Health listings in Illinois33 active1,232 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 83% no call · 48% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentloan repaymentUS healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 5% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 13% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Behavioral Health listings837 in the last 30 days501 the 30 days before (+67%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Behavioral Health pay trend−3.9% 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

25 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

25 jobs · 19 employers
5
$40k
9
$40k-45k
7
$45k-50k
3
$52k
1
$56k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

16 jobs
401k / retirement match
100% this job
CME allowance
25%
Sign-on bonus
19%
PSLF eligible
13% this job
Loan repayment
6% this job

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
+ 23 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 1.5
Below most Behavioral Health listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,215 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends
CGH Medical Center logo

About CGH Medical Center

Hospitals and Health Care
Sterling, Illinois
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health and Dental Insurance
IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund)
Retirement Fund (457 and 401A Plan)
Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
Life Insurance
Short and Long Term Disability
Paid Time Off
Tuition Reimbursement and Loan Forgiveness