Behavioral Health Tech

Essentia Health seeks a Behavioral Health Tech for our Float Pool to support inpatient and outpatient behavioral health units across our system. In this role, you will provide direct, hands‑on care to patients experiencing mental health and substance‑use challenges, working under the direction of nurses and licensed clinicians. Responsibilities include close observation, safety monitoring, assisting with daily living activities, facilitating or supporting therapeutic groups, and accurate documentation in the health record.

You will respond to crises using de‑escalation and trauma‑informed techniques, helping maintain a calm, therapeutic environment. As part of Essentia’s collaborative, patient‑centered culture, you’ll work with multidisciplinary teams, adapt quickly to diverse unit needs, and grow your skills through continuous learning while supporting holistic, compassionate care.

• Provide direct support to behavioral health patients under RN or therapist supervision
• Monitor patient safety, behavior, and adherence to care plans in various units
• Assist with therapeutic activities, groups, and skill‑building exercises
• Document observations, vital signs, and interventions accurately in the record
• Support admissions, transfers, and discharges within the float pool assignment
• Collaborate with nurses, providers, and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care
• De‑escalate challenging situations using trauma‑informed and crisis‑intervention techniques
• Maintain clean, safe, and therapeutic patient environments
• Educate and support patients and families on coping skills and unit routines
• Uphold Essentia Health policies, confidentiality, and quality standards
• Patient observation and monitoring
• Behavioral health documentation
• Vital signs measurement
• Crisis de‑escalation techniques
• Trauma‑informed care
• Therapeutic group support
• Electronic Health Record (EHR) usage
• Safety and restraint protocols
• Infection control procedures
• Interdisciplinary team collaboration

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401k

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred
• Mental Health Technician or Behavioral Health Tech certification preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Crisis Prevention/Intervention training (e.g., CPI) preferred
• Knowledge of de‑escalation and trauma‑informed care practices