MD
Massachusetts Detox Centers
Wilmington, Massachusetts

Behavioral Health Technician

Behavioral Health TechIncludes weekendsFull-Time

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.

Posted 5mo ago

Job Description

Come work at the North Shore's best Detox Facility. In addition to a fabulous state of the art work environment we provide 100% company paid Medical, Dental and Vision For Full Time Staff

WE ARE HIRING FOR ALL SHIFTS INCLUDING PER DIEM. MUST BE ABLE TO WORK OVERNIGHTS, DAYS AND WEEKENDS

Position Overview

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) performs a vital, front-line function in the facility, serving as the eyes and ears of the treatment team. The BHT is the liaison between patient and clinical/medical staff whose priority is to assist in providing a safe and caring environment for individuals in recovery.

The primary responsibility of the BHT is to help ensure patient safety by performing regular patient rounds, make and record observations, and timely report any concerns to a member of the nursing staff and management. Patients need care 24 hours a day, scheduled work hours may include nights, weekends and holidays. BHTs work under the shift supervision of the nursing staff.

  • Monitor patient activity, location, and safety at all times.
  • Conduct educational, recreational and therapeutic activities/groups.
  • Observe and interact with patients in all areas of the facility.
  • Circulate throughout the treatment center to ensure that the facility is secure and safe throughout each shift.
  • Observe patients to detect behavior patterns and report observations to medical staff.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Complete rounds on time and check for life signs by laying eyes on each patient for every round completed.
  • Environmental Rounds, checking all rooms, including those locked, making sure all empty office doors always remain locked, patient restrooms for unusual or suspicious activity.
  • Ensure that all unoccupied patient beds are made and ready for a potential admission.
  • Oversee patients on assigned units: ensure patients follow daily schedules, escort patients to groups, meals, smoke breaks, activities, etc.
  • Facilitate groups as assigned and complete all required documentation by the end of each shift.
  • Transport patients to and from appointments and meetings, when necessary.
  • Attend clinical and administrative meetings to integrate interdepartmental sharing of information.
  • Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility to changes in the work environment.
  • Follow Infection Control Guidelines at all times.
  • Complete Incident Reports and report any other safety/risk issues immediately to the Program Director.
  • Providing a safe, therapeutic environment for staff and patients.
  • Willing to be trained and perform vital sign assessment for patients.
  • Document attendance for all groups
  • Apply de-escalation techniques to help manage patient’s emotions, behavior and participation in treatment. Seek assistance when necessary.
  • Establish healthy relationships with patients and staff, displaying professional, cooperative demeanor.
  • Maintain professional staff/patient boundaries and confidentiality (HIPAA laws).
  • Assist in the admission process: search and record inventory log of patient’s personal belongings and valuables and properly store, orient new patients to the program.
  • Maintain constant and clear communication between departments
  • Complete accurate shift reports, notes, and safety checks each shift.
  • Keep all properties and office spaces clean and neat, helping clients learn to care for themselves and the space around them.
  • Make patient coffee, collect and clean mugs and restock supplies as needed.
  • Restock all patient snacks and drinks as needed.
  • Assist with training new hire BHT as needed.
  • Work closely with the charge nurse and complete duties as assigned.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Current and valid Massachusetts Driver’s License.
  • Current CPR certification and First Aid.
  • 1yr experience in SUD/Mental Health Field (or corresponding college coursework) preferred
  • 12 Step knowledge and addiction treatment experience preferred

Key Responsibilities

The BHT serves as the primary liaison between patients and clinical staff, ensuring a safe and therapeutic environment through regular rounds and observation. Responsibilities include facilitating therapeutic groups, monitoring patient safety, and documenting behavioral patterns.

Requirements

Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, a valid Massachusetts Driver's License, and current CPR and First Aid certifications. Experience in the SUD or Mental Health field and knowledge of 12-step programs are preferred.

Key Skills

Patient MonitoringCrisis InterventionHIPAA ComplianceGroup FacilitationIncident ReportingPatient TransportObservation and DocumentationInterdepartmental Communication

Addiction Medicine Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 74% have no call, 52% require no weekends.

What does the Addiction Medicine market look like in Massachusetts?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.1 / 10 · top 25% in behavioral health tech rolesranked against 1,557 Behavioral Health Tech roles listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed paynot listedAddiction Medicine median $43k (middle half $41k–$48k)18 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost of livingMassachusetts index 105.8US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
All addiction medicine listings in Massachusetts23 active1,595 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 74% no call · 52% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedUS healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 4% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 12% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Addiction Medicine listings437 in the last 30 days217 the 30 days before (+101%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Addiction Medicine pay trend (all specialties)+8.4% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (1,557 Behavioral Health Tech roles listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page. Massachusetts figures use all addiction medicines: too few Massachusetts Addiction Medicine postings state pay.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Behavioral Health Technician at MASSACHUSETTS DETOX CENTERS a 6.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Behavioral Health Tech roles — ranked against 1,557 active Behavioral Health Tech roles listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Behavioral Health Tech Jobs

34 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

25 jobs
12
<$45k
10
$45k-55k
2
$55k-65k
1
$72k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

21 jobs
401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
24%
Sign-on bonus
10%
PSLF eligible
10%
Loan repayment
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Behavioral Health Technician - Float Pool

Essentia Health · Duluth, Minnesota

$23.28-$34.63/hr
#2

Behavioral Health Technician

Centurion Health · Taylorville, Illinois

$26.91-$28.58/hr
#3

Therapeutic Recreation Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

$23-$27/hr
#4

Behavioral Health Technician

$16-$25/hr
+ 32 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.3this job 6.1
Better work-life than 50% of Addiction Medicine (Behavioral Health Tech) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 30 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends
MD

About Massachusetts Detox Centers

Benefits & Perks

100% company paid Medical, Dental and Vision

Living in Wilmington

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$739k
Typical market rent
$3,162/mo
Residents’ average commute
30 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.3
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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