Behavioral Health Technician - Inpatient Psychiatric - Full Time - Nights
Listed compensation
$18-$23/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, benefits and time off.
Job Description
Under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or designee, the Behavioral Health Technician provides direct and indirect patient care. Provides a clean, safe environment, maintains equipment and supplies. Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities
Core Job Responsibilities
- Orients new patients to the unit
- Records and processes patient belongings on admission and at discharge
- Performs and records patient vital signs, intake and output; notifies RN on any changes
- Monitors patient's compliance with pre and post procedure instructions under the supervision of a RN
Continuously observes patient behavior, mental status and activities. Notifies RN of any changes or unusual occurrences
Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors
- Maintains equipment and supplies
- Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities
- Performs other duties as required
Education/Experience Requirements
REQUIRED:
- High school graduate or equivalent
- One-two years’ experience as a nursing assistant or as a mental health worker required
- Ability to effectively communicate in English; both verbally and in writing
Preferred
Crisis Prevention Intervention training preferred.
Additional languages preferred
Licensure/Certification Requirements
REQUIRED:
Current BLA certification
Disclaimer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability. Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.
Job Details
- Department PSYCHIATRIC UNIT
- Shift Nights
- Shift Hours Worked 12.50
FTE 0.9
- Work Schedule CWAT-UFCSM - 12 HR
- Employee Status A1 - Full-Time
- Union 2006 - UFCW
- Pay Range $18 - $23 per hour
Key Responsibilities
The Behavioral Health Technician provides direct patient care, monitors mental status, and ensures a safe environment under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. They are responsible for documenting patient vitals, managing belongings, and participating in quality improvement activities.
Requirements
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent and one to two years of experience as a nursing assistant or mental health worker. A current BLA certification is required, and Crisis Prevention Intervention training is preferred.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Psychiatry Career Context
The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$43k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $40k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 40 active Psychiatry listings this role was benchmarked against, 73% have no call, 50% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $37k–$48k | Psychiatry median $42k (middle half $37k–$47k)679 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$40k in purchasing power | New York index 107.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 73% no call · 50% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US healthcare professional listings: 5% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 12% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Psychiatry listings | 1,344 in the last 30 days | 1,053 the 30 days before (+28%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Psychiatry pay trend | −1.9% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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