Behavioral Health Technician
About the job
- An associate degree in a behavioral science or specialty field is required.
- Obtain American Association of Psychiatric Technicians certification at level three within 12 months of hire.
- Maintain current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course or the American Red Cross CPR/Basic Life Support Course.
- Have two years of work experience in a mental health clinic or residential healthcare setting.
- Pass a background check and drug screen and maintain current physical and immunizations.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of therapeutic communication and psychiatric recovery and rehabilitation skills.
- Conduct clinical mental health screenings.
- Facilitate skill-building exercises, patient safety groups, and wellness processing groups.
- Coordinate instructional recreational activities.
- Communicate with cultural awareness and respond to the unique needs of diverse populations.
- Navigate electronic health records, web-based training, and communications.
- Communicate proficiently in English, verbally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships and take direction in a multidisciplinary environment.
- Know regulations concerning the confidentiality of patient health records and information and personally identifiable information, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Privacy Act.
- Demonstrate moderate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
- Demonstrate oral and written communication, active listening, interpersonal, organizational, time-management, problem-solving, judgment, decision-making, integrity, honesty, and cultural-awareness skills.
- Meet the physical demands of prolonged standing, walking or jogging over uneven surfaces, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, and lifting moderately heavy patients or equipment.
- Respond to medical emergencies within the facility via foot within four minutes and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or emergency care while standing or kneeling.
- Assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff in exiting the building during an emergency.
- Provide comprehensive mental health screenings, patient care management, and basic psycho-educational groups.
- Provide patient education, segregation wellness checks, sleep checks, behavioral observations, and compliance coaching for medical and mental health patients.
- Consult with the Behavioral Health Provider to monitor patient compliance and promote safety and patient engagement in an integrated, therapeutic care environment.
- Schedule appointments, complete electronic health record documentation, and coordinate follow-up care for mental health patients under the Behavioral Health Provider's direction.
- Provide direct services to the assigned population under the clinical direction of a licensed Behavioral Health Provider.
- Collect health data and observe behaviors and wellness during checks.
- Perform sleep-hygiene encounters and checks as directed.
- Prompt patients as needed with activities of daily living.
- Provide health, general-program education, and patient support.
- Monitor patient safety and risk.
- Escort behavioral-health detainees to appointments as required.
- Observe patient behavior during programming and recreation activities.
- Maintain basic knowledge of behavioral health interventions, including psychotropic medications, side effects, and effects on patient functioning.
- Facilitate basic therapeutic and psycho-educational groups, including processing groups and alternative programming, and provide direct individual patient education, care, and treatment.
- Assist in developing behavioral treatment interventions, including coping skills, anger management, and self-regulation activities.
- Gather patient-care information through frequent contacts to assist behavioral health and medical providers with diagnosis, treatment planning, and medication management.
- Document clinical observations of mood, affect, mental sharpness, sleeping patterns, eating habits, overall functioning, and observed changes.
- Perform medical housing unit and special-needs monitoring and wellness checks.
- Conduct crisis management in emergent situations according to standardized facility procedures and IHSC policy.
- Manage program schedules, including group schedules, telehealth appointments, and individual check-ins.
- Chaperone patients and obtain and record vital signs for tele-behavioral health, telepsychiatry, and other clinical appointments when available.
- Maintain professional development through in-service education, workshops, conferences, and self-study.
- Adhere to IHSC, Performance-Based National Detention Standards, American Correctional Association, and National Commission on Correctional Health Care standards.
- Maintain proficiency in and accurately use the IHSC electronic health records system.
- Spanish-speaking ability is preferred but not required.
About the company
Planned Systems International (PSI) provides information technology and management consulting services to government clients, focusing on solutions that improve operational efficiency and national security. The company works across fields such as Cyber Security, Cloud Migration, Systems Engineering, Augmented/Mixed Reality, and DevSecOps to address complex challenges. PSI’s products and services combine technical expertise with program management and IT modernization to deliver value-added outcomes for federal agencies. Its approach centers on people, service, and integrity, aiming to be recognized as a world-class provider by maintaining trust, strong customer focus, and ethical practices.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Columbia, South Carolina
Founded
1988
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- PSI won a $110.1 million AFSOC task order in April 2026.
- DHA awarded PSI subcontracted DOEHRS sustainment work in March 2026.
- VA modernization and testing contracts keep PSI positioned on sticky health IT programs.
What critics are saying
- PSI paid $3.9 million in 2024 over WOSB misrepresentation allegations, signaling control weaknesses.
- AFSOC is a single large award; recompete loss in 2031 would hit revenue hard.
- Federal contracting concentration leaves PSI exposed to budget shifts and protest-driven delays.
What makes Planned Systems International unique
- PSI spans health, defense, and environmental federal IT, reducing single-program dependence.
- Its 2026 AFSOC mission integration win shows trusted sustainment depth across classified systems.
- Leadership additions, including Jerry Ambrosh and Alan Constantian, strengthen growth and VA access.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
AD&D Coverage
Legal Services
Identity Theft
Accident Insurance
Flexible Spending Account
Health Savings Account
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Tuition Reimbursement
Company News
Jerry Ambrosh named chief growth officer of Planned Systems International.
Planned Systems International, Inc. (PSI), a leading provider of IT solutions and services for the federal government, today announced that it has been named as one of the top 100 “Best Places to Work in IT” by IDG Communication’s Insider Pro and Computerworld.
Alan Constantian, former deputy chief information officer for account management at the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been appointed to serve as strategic adviser to Planned Systems International ‘s executive team.
Michael Alberi, a business development executive in the government contracting industry, has been promoted to vice president of growth at Columbia, Maryland-based government technology provider Planned Systems International.