Behavioral Health Technician- Psychiatric Emergency Department, Full Time Nights
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.
Job Description
Facility
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Department: Psychiatric Emergency Department
Job Family
Professional
Work Shift
Nights (United States of America)
Summary
Performs routine patient care duties to include observation, monitoring and recording changes in patient’s condition, obtaining vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, providing emotional support and care under the direction of a nurse, and facilitates groups Assists with performing contraband searches; inventory of patient’s personal belongings.
Effectively utilizes crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques as needed. Assists with maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment. Serves as resource for medical staff, nursing staff, security, and other Behavioral Health Technicians.
Major Job Functions
The following is a summary of the major essential functions of this job. The incumbent may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. In addition, specific functions may change from time to time:
Provides care to the patients in a manner that promotes safety, protects patient rights, preserves patient dignity, provides comfort and is conducive to a positive therapeutic environment
Assists with new admissions including, but not limited to, conducting contraband searches, orientating patient to room and environment, obtaining vital signs and securing patient belongings in designated area
Assists with transfers and discharges to include, but not limited to, obtaining vital signs and gathering patient belongings
- Obtaining and monitoring vital signs, obtain patient weight and report abnormalities to nurse
- Assists patients with activities of daily living, (personal hygiene, and toileting if necessary)
- Assists with therapeutic holds, restraints, and seclusion procedures after completing NCI Training
- Assess patients through play and group activities, report abnormal findings to nurse
- Assists with Q-15-minute rounding and video, visual constant and touch constant observation, monitoring and documentation as directed by nurse
- Assists with documentation of intake and output and graphing of vital signs as directed
- Facilitates Therapeutic Community Meeting and Wrap-up as assigned
- Participates in educational and performance improvement initiatives
- Actively participates in cost containment
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
The following qualifications, or equivalents, are the minimum requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of this job:
Education and Formal Training
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Associates degree or Bachelors degree in Psychology/Social Work preferred
- Nursing Assistant certification accepted
- BLS from the American Heart Association required
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and certification within 30 days of employment
Work Experience
2 years of psychiatric experience preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
- Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the English language
- Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Must possess excellent customer service skills
- Demonstrates competency to work with children, adolescents, and adults with mental illness
- Possesses basic knowledge of age specific considerations for the population served
- Must possess unrestricted NCI Certification upon completion of training
- General computer competency required
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work variable shifts
- Position requires bending, prolonged standing, and walking
Ability to Turn and Lift Patients
Must possess visual and auditory acuity for observation and manual dexterity for computer use and documentation
May involve skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious material
Required Licenses and Certifications
Cape Fear Valley Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
Key Responsibilities
The Behavioral Health Technician provides direct patient care, including monitoring vital signs, assisting with daily living activities, and providing emotional support in a psychiatric emergency setting. They also facilitate therapeutic groups, perform safety rounds, and utilize de-escalation techniques to maintain a secure environment.
Requirements
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, with a preference for an associate or bachelor degree in Psychology or Social Work. A BLS certification is required, and the role prefers two years of psychiatric experience.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Psychiatry Career Context
The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Psychiatry listings this role was benchmarked against, 76% have no call, 46% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 3.0 / 10 · above average in behavioral health tech roles | ranked against 1,557 Behavioral Health Tech roles listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | not listed | Psychiatry median $39k (middle half $36k–$51k)36 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost of living | North Carolina index 94.3 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 76% no call · 46% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 4% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 12% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Psychiatry listings | 1,316 in the last 30 days | 923 the 30 days before (+43%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Psychiatry pay trend | +13.3% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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