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Discovery Behavioral Health
Annandale, Virginia

Behavioral Health Technician (Full-time, PM Shift)

Behavioral Health TechNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$16-$25/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

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

Posted 49m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Discovery Mood & Anxiety

Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program is a national leader in behavioral healthcare and one of the fastest growing companies in the field. DBH offers world-class treatment for those struggling with mental health and places a high priority on seeking employees who share our passion for improving the lives we serve.

Since 1997, Discovery Mood and Anxiety Programs, DBH’s Mental Health Disorder Division, has helped thousands of patients discover their path to the full and rewarding lives they deserve with evidence-based and inclusive treatment options.

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: Monday-Friday, 3pm-11pm
  • Work Location: On-site - Annandale, VA
  • Compensation: Pay Range: $16.00-25.00 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 Technician assists and supports patients throughout their treatment experience, ensuring safety and facilitating daily routines. They also contribute to treatment planning, lead psychoeducational groups, and provide 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 within the specified timeframes.

Key Skills

Patient careCrisis interventionBehavioral health supportPsychoeducational group facilitationVitals monitoringFood safetyUrine specimen collectionTeam collaboration

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 40 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 78% have no call, 53% require no weekends.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Behavioral Health by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score3.9 / 10 · above average in behavioral healthranked against 1,193 Behavioral Health listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$33k–$52kBehavioral Health median $43k (middle half $33k–$48k)23 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$42k in purchasing powerVirginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Behavioral Health listings in Virginia43 active1,599 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 78% no call · 53% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedUS healthcare professional listings: 5% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 13% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Behavioral Health listings823 in the last 30 days547 the 30 days before (+50%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Behavioral Health pay trend−2.3% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (1,193 Behavioral Health listings), 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 · 20 employers
7
<$40k
14
$40k-50k
4
$50k-60k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

15 jobs
401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
27%
Sign-on bonus
20%
PSLF eligible
13%
Loan repayment
7%

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 3.9
Better work-life than 60% of Behavioral Health listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,193 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • On-site

Living in Annandale

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$608k
Typical market rent
$2,482/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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