Behavioral Health Tech

Behavioral Health TechIncludes weekendsPart-Time

Listed compensation

$22-$24/hr

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Center for Discovery

At Discovery, we offer career opportunities nationwide in residential, day treatment, and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment. Discovery is currently seeking Program Directors, Primary Therapists, Facility Managers, Counselors/Mental Health Specialists, Dietitians, Diet Techs, and Nurses. Discovery is specifically seeking individuals who consistently strive to provide exemplary care and are passionate about transforming the lives of others.

If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career in the behavioral health field, the first step is to look for Open job positions that match your skills, qualifications and interest. Each posting includes a description and minimum required qualifications.

When we review candidate information, we are looking for the best matches for the position based on the qualifications listed in the job posting. If your skills and experience appear to match an open position, a recruitment services professional or hiring manager may contact you to further discuss your qualifications.

Position Summary

Behavioral Health Tech (BHT) is responsible for assisting and supporting patients through the entire treatment experience from admission through discharge. BHT will be contributing insightful, practical, and meaningful information to the treatment planning process. BHT 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
  • Two or more years experience working within the mental health, substance use or eating disorder field required
  • Valid and unrestricted State Driver’s License
  • Must obtain and maintain CPI certification within 90 days of hire, training provided
  • Must obtain and maintain CPR, AED, and First Aid, along with Food Handling/Safety certification within 30 days of hire, training provided
  • Substance Use Division: Minimum 1 year sobriety if in recovery
  • Eating Disorder Division: Minimum 1 year recovery from eating disorder if in recovery
  • Employment Status: Part-time

Schedule: Monday & Thursday 2-10pm/Saturday & Sunday 6am-2pm

Work Location: On-site — Fairfax, VA

Compensation Pay Range: $22-24 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 Tech III supports patients throughout their treatment experience by ensuring safety, facilitating psychoeducational groups, and assisting with daily living needs. They also collaborate with the clinical team to implement treatment plans and provide necessary interventions during crisis situations.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least two years of experience in mental health, substance use, or eating disorder fields and possess a valid driver's license. A high school diploma is required, while a bachelor's degree is preferred, along with the ability to obtain necessary certifications like CPR and CPI.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Crisis interventionPsychoeducational group facilitationClinical supportCultural diversity awarenessFood safety

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 41 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 71% have no call, 37% require no weekends.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is up 8.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Behavioral Health by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$46k–$50kBehavioral Health median $43k (middle half $33k–$48k)23 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$47k in purchasing powerVirginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Behavioral Health listings in Virginia28 active—live on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
All behavioral health listings in Virginia44 active1,595 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 71% no call · 37% no weekends41 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 Behavioral Health listings861 in the last 30 days503 the 30 days before (+71%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Behavioral Health pay trend (all specialties)+8.4% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page. Virginia figures use all behavioral healths: too few Virginia Behavioral Health postings state pay.

Top Behavioral Health Tech Jobs

40 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

27 jobs · 26 employers
8
<$40k
14
$40k-50k
4
$50k-60k
0
$60k-70k
1
$72k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

25 jobs
401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
24%
Sign-on bonus
8%
PSLF eligible
8%
Loan repayment
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Behavioral Health Associate - Per DiemPer Diem

Comprehensive Healthcare · Kennewick, Washington

$20.24-$30.36/hr
#2

Behavioral Health Tech 0.6 FTE Acute Care

Essentia Health · Virginia, Minnesota

$20.77-$27.16/hr
#3

Behavioral Health Technician – Autism Services

$20-$26/hr
#4

Behavioral Health Associate I - On Call

$20-$25/hr
+ 38 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 1.5
Below most Behavioral Health listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,195 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes weekends
Discovery Behavioral Health logo

About Discovery Behavioral Health

Mental Health Care
Irvine, CA
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

CPI certification training provided
CPR, AED, and First Aid certification training provided
Food Handling/Safety certification training provided

Living in Fairfax

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$683k
Typical market rent
$2,456/mo
Residents’ average commute
28 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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