Behavioral Health Technician BHT -DUHS Float Pool

The Behavioral Health Technician performs a variety of routine activities to provide both physical and psychological care to patients with psychiatric disorders, supporting a safe and therapeutic environment.

Night Shift: 7:00pm-7:00am

3-12 hour shifts per week

Must float between Duke University Hospital and Duke Regional Hospital, May add Duke Raleigh at a later date

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

• Observe patients and assess their progress on a daily basis; report any significant changes in condition or behavior to the supervising RN.
• Provide one-on-one patient interaction, including recreational and social activities, and reinforce patient education.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, personal hygiene, feeding, dressing, and bed-making.
• Support patient mobility, including repositioning, range-of-motion exercises, transfers, and ambulation.
• Monitor and provide care for patients in seclusion and/or restraint.
• Ensure patient safety by providing appropriate supervision, protection, and control as needed.
• Participate in the safe restraint of combative patients when necessary.
• Follow all safety and infection control protocols, including universal precautions.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team discussions to support coordination and delivery of patient care.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment, including duties such as cleaning equipment, changing linens, restocking supplies, and keeping patient areas free of hazards.
• Follow hospital and departmental safety procedures; promptly report unsafe conditions, equipment malfunctions, or injuries involving patients, visitors, or staff.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts by reviewing processes and assisting with implementation of improvements to enhance patient care.
• Plan and assist with recreational and therapeutic group activities.
• Engage patients individually and in small groups to support understanding and engagement with their treatment plans.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.

Experience

• One year of experience working with patients in areas such as substance abuse, mental health, dementia, or intellectual/developmental disabilities preferred.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

One of the following is required:

• Listing on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry (
• Certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor in North Carolina
• Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in North Carolina
• Certification as a Behavioral Health Technician through the Academy of Addiction Professionals or the American Medical Certification Association

If a candidate does not meet one of the above requirements at hire, they must begin the certification process within one year of employment and complete it within two years.

Additional requirements:

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification must be obtained and maintained by the end of new hire orientation (typically within the first week of employment).
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certification is strongly preferred.

Clinical Skills and Competencies

• Meet DUHS credentialing requirements to perform blood glucose monitoring via finger sticks and report results to nursing staff.
• Perform and document vital signs, intake and output, and other delegated patient care measures within 90 days of employment.
• Follow proper procedures for specimen collection, including patient identification, labeling, and verification.
• Instruct patients on the collection and preservation of urine, sputum, and stool s