Behavioral Health Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Dunbar IBHS Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

Summary of Key Roles and Responsibilities

General Overview

• Provide one-on-one mental health support to children/adolescents with serious emotional disturbances to prevent restrictive services or out-of-home placement.
• Promote age-appropriate psychosocial growth in educational, home, and community settings.
• Collaborate with families, teachers, and other designated individuals to develop integration strategies for the child.
• Utilize interventions such as positive behavior reinforcement, crisis intervention, social interaction modeling, and emotional support.

Essential and Core Functions

• Assist in developing age-appropriate self-management skills, focusing attention, organization, and social participation.
• Provide support to families, teachers, or supervisors in creating therapeutic structures and behavioral limits.
• Implement behavioral intervention plans and alternative activities to redirect challenging behaviors.
• Collaborate on the Individual Treatment Plan (ITP), providing interventions such as:
  • Problem-solving development
  • Emotional response management
  • Social skill development
  • Stress reduction techniques
• Collect data and assist with behavioral stabilization.
• Refer clients to other necessary services.

Competencies and Personal Characteristics

• Strong written and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Education and Certification Requirements

• Must obtain RBT, BCAT, or equivalent certification within 18 months of hire.
• Qualification paths include:
  • Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related fields
  • Equivalent foreign degree evaluated by recognized agencies
  • Associate's degree or 60 college credits with 1 year of experience in mental health services
  • Pennsylvania RN license with 1 year of relevant experience
• BCaBA, RBT, or BCAT certification
• Behavior health/analysis certification accredited by NCCA or ANSI
• High school diploma and 40-hour RBT Task List training by a certified BCBA/BCaBA
• Minimum 2 years of behavioral health service experience
• Valid child abuse, criminal history, CPR/First Aid, and FBI clearances required.