Behavioral Health Technician

Responsibilities

Mountain Youth Academy is located in Mountain City, TN which is near Johnson City, TN, Boone, NC, Bristol, TN & VA, and Abingdon, VA. MYA is a 120-bed residential treatment facility and assist in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of behavioral health issues for our young adolescent patients.

Behavioral Health Technician

Patient Population: Children and Adolescents Ages 5–17

Position Summary

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) provides direct care, supervision, and support to children and adolescents ages 5–17 who are receiving behavioral health treatment. This position plays a vital role in maintaining a safe, therapeutic, and structured environment that promotes emotional regulation, positive behavior, personal growth, and recovery.

The Behavioral Health Technician collaborates with nurses, therapists, and other members of the treatment team to support each patient’s individualized treatment plan and therapeutic goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care, supervision, and emotional support to children and adolescents in a behavioral health treatment setting.

• Maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for all patients.
• Monitor patient behaviors, moods, interactions, and changes in emotional or physical condition.
• Assist patients in emotional regulation, communication, and problem-solving techniques.
• Assist and participate in therapeutic, recreational, educational, and structured group activities.
• Establish appropriate professional boundaries while building positive, supportive relationships with patients.

Utilize trauma-informed care and developmentally appropriate approaches when interacting with children and adolescents.

Recognize and respond appropriately to escalating behaviors, emotional distress, and potential safety concerns.

Implement approved crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques in accordance with facility policies and training.

Maintain continuous patient observation and supervision as assigned, including adherence to observation levels and safety precautions.

• Document patient behaviors, observations, interventions, and significant events accurately and promptly.
• Communicate relevant patient information to nursing staff and other members of the treatment team.
• Assist with maintaining a clean, organized, and safe patient care environment.
• Follow all facility policies, procedures, safety protocols, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Protect patient confidentiality and uphold the rights, dignity, and privacy of every patient.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, self-harm, aggression, or other safety concerns in accordance with facility policies and applicable law.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Without prior experience earn between $18-22 an hour.
• College Degrees increase the base rate.
• Increased rates for those with prior work experience in behavioral health, working with children, and miliary services.
• Shift Differentials: $2-5
• Opportunities for overtime
• Select 8-, 12-, or 16-hour shifts!

Benefit & Rewards Highlights

• Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K match, Stock Purchase
• Attendance Incentives, up to $80 per week
• Challenging and rewarding work environment
• Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
• Prescription Drug Plans

SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program

• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!
• Free Meals
• Shift Differential Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

For a full preview of benefits, please visit UHS Benefits Service Center (ehr.com)

About Universal Health Services

Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) is one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services.

Since our founding in 1979, UHS has grown steadily into a premier Fortune 500® corporation perennially recognized by multiple esteemed national rating entities.

Through its subsidiaries, UHS operates inpatient acute care facilities, inpatient behavioral health facilities, outpatient and other facilities, nationwide virtual behavioral health services, an insurance offering, a physician network, and various related services with physical locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Ireland, and United Kingdom. uhs.com.

From Fortune, ©2025, 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Additional education or coursework in psychology, social work, behavioral health, human services, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Previous experience working with children or adolescents preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric care, residential treatment, education, childcare, or a related setting preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges is beneficial.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Ability to recognize behavioral changes and respond appropriately to safety concerns.
• Ability to establish appropriate boundaries and maintain professional relationships.
• Strong observation, documentation, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to follow instructions, treatment plans, and established safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Commitment to maintaining patient safety, confidentiality, and dignity.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.
• Ability to remain alert and attentive throughout assigned shifts.
• Ability to stand, walk, and participate in activities with patients for extended periods.
• Ability to respond promptly to behavioral emergencies and patient safety concerns.
• Ability to perform essential job functions, including approved crisis intervention procedures, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Willingness to work assigned shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, as required.

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of required background checks and applicable pre-employment screenings.
• Successful completion of required facility orientation, safety training, and crisis prevention and intervention training.

EEO Statement

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Avoid and Report Recruitment Scams

We are aware of a scam whereby imposters are posing as Recruiters from UHS, and our subsidiary hospitals and facilities. Beware of anyone requesting financial or personal information.

At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skill set and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries.

During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (e. g., Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. Our recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc.

If you suspect a fraudulent job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, we encourage you to report such concerns to appropriate law enforcement. We encourage you to refer to legitimate UHS and UHS subsidiary career websites to verify job opportunities and not rely on unsolicited calls from recruiters.

Pay Transparency

To encourage pay transparency, promote pay equity, and proactively address regulations, UHS and all our subsidiaries will comply with all applicable state or local laws or regulations which require employers to provide wage or salary range information to job applicants and employees. Salary offers may be based on key factors such as education and related experience.

Pay Transparency

To encourage pay transparency, promote pay equity, and proactively address regulations, UHS and all our subsidiaries will comply with all applicable state or local laws or regulations which require employers to provide wage or salary range information to job applicants and employees. Salary offers may be based on key factors such as education and related experience.