Easterseals PORT Health logo
Easterseals PORT Health
Aberdeen, North Carolina

Behavioral Health Direct Care Technician

Healthcare SupportIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$15/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 5mo ago

Job Description

Do you have a passion for making a real difference in the lives of teens living with mental health challenges and substance use disorders? At Easterseals PORT Health (ESPH), our mission is rooted in empowering individuals and strengthening communities. We’re seeking a compassionate and dedicated full-time Direct Care Technician to join our team at the Adolescent Residential Home in Aberdeen, NC.

Voted Raleigh’s Best Nonprofit Organization and Raleigh’s Best Mental Health Services two years in a row!

Position Details: Full-Time, 40 hours per week, primarily 4pm-12am shifts

*The 5 workdays will rotate and will include every other weekend.

Your Role in Our Mission

As a Direct Care Technician on the team you will be responsible for providing and maintaining a therapeutic and safe group environment and attending to the welfare and basic needs of clients. The Direct Care Tech provides informal counseling that involve behavioral techniques, reality therapy, supportive encouragement and socialization skills for the clients.

Your work will also include facilitating and participating in group activities, accompanying clients to NA/AA meetings and community outings, providing transportation, and assisting in life-skills development — all with the goal of promoting progress in their recovery journey.

Why Join Us?

As a part of our mission, we help our team members embrace their potential, build resilience, and thrive! You will benefit from ongoing professional growth and development as you work alongside leaders of clinical excellence in mental health and substance use services that care about your success.

We also offer a full benefits package for benefits-eligible positions.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive hourly rate: $15.00 / hour
  • Generous paid time off and paid holidays
  • Full benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
  • Life and Disability Insurance(company paid)
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program and legal services support
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer

What We’re Looking For

  • Education: High school diploma or GED
  • 1 year of relevant experience in substance disorders or working with youth preferred
  • Maintain valid state appropriate driver’s license and auto insurance for personal and agency vehicles utilized for work
  • Proficiency with EHR systems or technically savvy.

Ready to Apply?

Join a team where work isn’t just something you do — it’s a purpose. Bring your expertise to a mission that matters. Apply now at www.eastersealsPORT.com [http://www.eastersealsucp.com/] or send your resume to recruiter@eastersealsPORT.com [recruiter@eastersealsucp.com].

About Easterseals PORT Health

Easterseals PORT Health is a trustworthy and compassionate partner, providing exceptional services in disability, mental health, and substance use to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication, and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery.

Our 2,600-member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults, and families in 11,000 home, facility, and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia.

Easterseals PORT Health is an Inclusive Culture, Different Voices, Embracing Potential, Authentic Self, and Learning and Growing (IDEAL) organization.

Applicants of all abilities are encouraged to apply!

Key Responsibilities

The Direct Care Technician provides a safe, therapeutic environment and attends to the basic needs of adolescent clients. They facilitate group activities, provide informal counseling, and assist with life-skills development to support the recovery journey.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license with auto insurance. One year of relevant experience in substance disorders or working with youth is preferred.

Key Skills

Behavioral healthSubstance use counselingCrisis interventionGroup facilitationSafety monitoringDocumentation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Behavioral Health Direct Care Technician at Easterseals PORT Health a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Healthcare Support healthcare professional listings evaluated on our platform.

Healthcare Support Career Context

Healthcare Support pay on WeekdayDoc is up 18.8% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$31k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $33k in an average-cost state. 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Work-life snapshot

6.0/ 10
Listing-based score
  • Includes weekends

Living in Aberdeen

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$320k
Typical market rent
$1,775/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
88.3
State income tax
Up to 4.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Easterseals PORT Health logo

About Easterseals PORT Health

Government Administration
Raleigh, NC
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid time off
Paid holidays
Medical, Dental, Vision
Life and Disability Insurance
403(b) Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program
PSLF qualifying employer