Behavioral Health Technician (Full Time)
Listed compensation
$21–$28 /hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
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 II (BHT II) is responsible for assisting and supporting patients through the entire treatment experience from admission through discharge. BHT II will be contributing insightful, practical, and meaningful information to the treatment planning process. BHT II 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 all 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 patient during admission and discharge processes. This may include checking in patient belongings, acclimating patient to the program, preparing patient for returning home.
Monitors patient activity and documents any significant patient issues. Completes all shift notes, group notes, and other required documentation by the end of shift.
- Maintains and organized and safe environment and performs basic housekeeping duties.
- Conducts regular facility and grounds checks, advising facility leadership of any irregularities or safety concerns.
- Facilitates and leads daily groups as directed by facility leadership if applicable.
- 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.
Provides transportation services including patient transportation/supervision, errands, shopping, admits, outings, etc. (must be pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle).
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.
- Must refrain from comments and actions that directly contradict the CFD Clinical Model and Dietary CARE model.
- Familiarizes and adopts the Philosophy, Mission, Goals, and Objectives of the Center for Discovery treatment programs.
- Has basic knowledge of the clinical orientation and interventions used at Center for Discovery.
Residential Treatment Only
In states where permissible, passing medicine will be required. Training and/or required certification will be provided.
Knowledge, Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- High School Diploma (or equivalent) preferred
- One or more years experience working within the mental health, substance use or eating disorder field preferred
- Employment Status: Full Time
- Schedule: Sat/Sun 6 am - 2 pm & Mon/Tues 3 pm - 11 pm
- Work Location: On Site - Brentwood, CA
- Compensation: Pay Range: $21 -$28 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 supports patients throughout the treatment process, focusing on safety, interventions, and leading psychoeducational groups. Responsibilities include monitoring patient activity, documenting progress, and assisting nursing staff with daily care routines.
Requirements
A high school diploma is preferred, while a bachelor's degree and one or more years of experience in mental health, substance use, or eating disorder fields are desired. Candidates must be able to maintain professional boundaries and may need to be pre-qualified to drive company vehicles.
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
Key Skills
Psychiatry Career Context
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$51k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $46k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 40 active Psychiatry listings this role was benchmarked against, 78% have no call, 38% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.4 / 10 · above average in psychiatry (behavioral health tech) | ranked against 144 Psychiatry (Behavioral Health Tech) listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $44k–$58k | Psychiatry median $50k (middle half $46k–$55k)37 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$46k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Psychiatry listings in California | 17 active | 144 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 78% no call · 38% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US healthcare professional listings: 4% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 12% offer loan repayment1,697 active listings, Oct 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Behavioral Health Technician (Full Time) at Discovery Behavioral Health a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Psychiatry (Behavioral Health Tech) — ranked against 144 active Psychiatry (Behavioral Health Tech) listings on WeekdayDoc.
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