Behavioral Health Technician (Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Center), Grade 18

Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $64,104 to $82,614, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meets the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Behavioral Health and Crisis Services is currently recruiting dedicated and compassionate Behavioral Health Technicians to support our Crisis Stabilization Center. These front-line team members play an important role in supporting individuals experiencing acute mental health or substance-related crises in a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed environment. If you are passionate about client safety, therapeutic engagement, and helping individuals on their path toward stabilization and recovery, we welcome your interest in joining our team

• Maintaining a calm, structured, trauma-informed treatment environment for individuals in acute crisis.
• Conducting continuous observation, safety checks, and monitoring behavioral, medical, and psychiatric changes.

• Utilizing verbal de-escalation and approved physical interventions, including therapeutic holds and mechanical restraints when necessary.
• Responding to crisis “Code” events, including elopement attempts, violent behavior, or high-risk emergencies.
• Assisting clients with ADLs, providing supportive engagement and facilitating therapeutic groups or structured activities. 
• Documenting observations and interventions in electronic health records and communicating promptly with clinical/nursing staff. 
• Maintaining environmental safety, performing contraband checks, and supporting infection-control procedures. Participating in training (CPI, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention) and supporting quality-improvement practices.
• This position is considered essential personnel for the Department of Health and Human Services during county emergencies.

The individual selected for this position will be considered an Essential Employee. Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave.

This position requires a driver’s license as the selected candidate will travel throughout the County to perform job duties.  

The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-placement medical exam, drug screening and a background check.

Experience: One (1) year experience providing basic crisis intervention or casework services in a public or private social service agency to clients having emotional, behavioral, mental health or substance abuse problems, or who are victims of abuse or sexual assault.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling or a related field.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

In lieu of a Bachelor's Degree, candidates with 5 or more years of experience providing basic crisis intervention or casework services in a public or private social service agency to clients having emotional, behavioral, mental health or substance abuse problems, or who are victims of abuse or sexual assault.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Certification: None at the time of application.

• Obtain certification in CPR during the probationary period – CPR certification must be maintained. 

• Positions assigned to the Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Center must have the appropriate level of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification within 60 days of appointment. CPI certification must be maintained.

• Experience working in a behavioral health, crisis stabilization, inpatient psychiatric, emergency department, or similar clinical setting.

• Experience using verbal de-escalation, physical restraints, and evidence-based crisis intervention techniques to support individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing substance intoxication, withdrawal, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, or dual-diagnosis conditions.
• Experience documenting client observations, safety interventions, and behavioral incidents in an electronic health record (EHR) or electronic medical record (EMR) system.
• Experience performing continuous safety observations, suicide precautions, or monitoring individuals at risk of harming themselves or others. 
• Experience worked as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team that included psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, peer support specialists, or social workers.
• Multilingual proficiency in Amharic, French or Spanish