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Radix Recovery
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Behavioral Health Tech (2nd Shift & wknd shifts avail)

Behavioral Health TechFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

  • Description
  • Job Title: Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)
  • FLSA Classification: non-Exempt
  • Reports To: BHT Supervisor
  • Job Family: Radix Recovery, Clinical

Position Summary

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) provides direct, non-clinical support to residents in a behavioral health setting. Under the supervision of licensed staff, the BHT assists in implementing treatment plans, monitoring resident behavior, ensuring safety, and supporting daily activities. This role is critical in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for individuals receiving mental health and substance use treatment services.

Responsibilities

Monitor and document resident behavior and interactions in accordance with facility protocols.

Support residents in their daily routines, including prompting hygiene, meals, medication compliance (non-administration), chores, and recreational activities.

Intervene in crisis situations using de-escalation techniques and notify clinical staff of any behavioral changes or safety concerns.

  • Conduct regular room checks, facility rounds, and environmental safety inspections.
  • Assist other BHTs in maintaining an orderly and neat facility, including cleaning and prepping bedrooms for the incoming residents and cleaning common areas.
  • Maintain clear, accurate, and timely documentation in the resident record.
  • Facilitate or co-facilitate structured groups or activities.
  • Ensure resident confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
  • Communicate effectively with the treatment team regarding resident progress or concerns.
  • Participate in shift hand-offs, team meetings, and required trainings.
  • Assist with sanitary food preparation and meal service, as needed.
  • Assist with admissions, discharges, and resident orientation to the facility, as assigned
  • Accompany residents to appointments and off-site programming, safely transporting them using a company vehicle if required.
  • Other duties as assigned
  • Workplace Maintenance: (all employees)
  • Participate in maintaining a clean, well-organized, and efficiently supplied work environment, contributing to a positive atmosphere for both clients and staff.
  • Observe and report any safety or maintenance issues promptly to ensure a safe and functional workplace.
  • Professional Conduct: (all employees)

Interact with clients and colleagues in a respectful and empathetic manner, maintaining professional boundaries and a demeanor that fosters trust and rapport.

Uphold the privacy and confidentiality of all client information in accordance with federal and state laws, actively reporting any concerns regarding privacy violations or policy breaches to supervisors.

Supervisory Responsibilities and Direct Reports

None.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Valid driver’s license required.
  • Prefer a minimum of 1 year of experience in behavioral health, residential, or related care setting

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Behavioral Health Concepts:

Understanding of common mental health and substance use disorders, including signs, symptoms, and behavioral patterns associated with conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.

Trauma-Informed Care Principles

Familiarity with trauma-informed approaches that emphasize safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment when interacting with residents.

Resident Rights and Ethics

Basic understanding of confidentiality (HIPAA), resident rights, professional boundaries, and ethical decision-making in a behavioral health setting.

De-escalation and Safety Protocols

Knowledge of crisis prevention strategies, including verbal de-escalation, nonviolent communication, and facility-specific emergency response procedures.

Documentation Standards

Awareness of accurate, timely, and objective documentation practices required in healthcare settings, including behavioral charting and incident reporting.

Observation and Reporting

Skilled in detecting subtle changes in behavior, mood, and physical condition, and reporting these clearly to licensed staff.

Interpersonal Communication

Strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills to interact professionally with residents, families, and coworkers from diverse backgrounds.

Group Support and Engagement

Ability to assist in facilitating structured therapeutic groups or recreational activities, encouraging participation, and modeling respectful group behavior.

Use of Technology and Equipment

Comfortable using electronic health records (EHRs), communication systems, and basic medical equipment (e. g., vitals machines, thermometer).

Remain Calm Under Pressure

Able to maintain composure in high-stress situations, including resident outbursts, medical emergencies, or critical incidents.

Follow Clinical Protocols

Consistently adheres to facility procedures, safety standards, and supervision instructions while exercising sound judgment when working independently.

Adapt to Changing Environments

Flexible and able to adjust quickly to changes in resident needs, staffing levels, or care plans throughout a shift.

Maintain Professional Boundaries

Demonstrates a strong ability to support therapeutic rapport without crossing personal, emotional, or professional lines.

Promote a Therapeutic Environment

Proactively contributes to a calm, respectful, and structured milieu that encourages resident stability, engagement, and recovery.

  • Workplace Maintenance (all employees)
  • Understanding health and safety regulations to ensure a secure environment for clients and staff.
  • Professional Conduct (all employees)
  • Compassionate client interaction with empathy and active listening.
  • Maintenance of professional boundaries to ensure a safe therapeutic environment.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations governing the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, including confidentiality, client rights, professional ethics, and anti-discrimination policies.
  • Proficient in crisis communication, maintaining professionalism in high-stress situations.

Other Conditions

  • Must be willing to travel during shift as often as needed.
  • Authorized to work in the US.

Key Skills

Behavioral health supportCrisis interventionHIPAA complianceResident monitoringGroup facilitationPatient careSubstance use disorder support

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Behavioral Health Tech (2nd Shift & wknd shifts avail) at Radix Recovery a 6.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Behavioral Health — ranked against 1,225 active Behavioral Health listings on WeekdayDoc.

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 50 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 58% have no call, 34% require no weekends.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Iowa is 87.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.8% of Iowa clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Behavioral Health Tech Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution31 jobs · 23 employers

8
<$40k
9
$40k-45k
10
$45k-50k
2
$52k
2
$59k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution38 jobs · 23 employers

0
1-2
0
3-4
1
5-6
37
7-8
0
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Behavioral Health Technician at Hill (83693)

Centurion Health · Galesburg, Illinois

$26.91-$28.58/hr
#2

Behavioral Health Technician (83534)

Centurion Health · Pontiac, Illinois

$26.91-$28.58/hr
#3

Behavioral Health Technician - Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (83704)

$25/hr
#4

Behavioral Health Associate I

$20-$25/hr
+ 36 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 6.1
Better work-life than 80% of Behavioral Health listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,225 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Cedar Rapids

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$214k
Typical market rent
$1,291/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
89.0
State income tax
Up to 6%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Cedar Rapids, IA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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