October 19, 2026
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POSITION SUMMARY
The Lead Behavioral Health Technician (Lead BHT) is responsible for supporting the daily operations of Akeela’s residential substance use disorder treatment programs, ensuring a safe and structured environment for residents, and promoting consistent implementation of the Therapeutic Community (TC) model.
This position provides leadership and direct supervision to Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs), including those providing temporary or as-needed coverage, while working collaboratively with the Residential Program Manager to maintain staff accountability, effective program operations, and quality resident care. Responsibilities include staff scheduling, training, performance management, documentation oversight, medication observation processes, and operational reporting.
The Lead BHT serves as a primary resource for direct-care staff and helps ensure residential operations are consistent with Akeela’s policies, regulatory requirements, and organizational expectations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Staff Supervision & Performance Management
- Provide direct supervision, guidance, and daily operational support to Behavioral Health Technicians and relief staff.
- Oversee the daily job functions of BHTs and relief staff, ensuring assigned duties are completed accurately, consistently, and in accordance with program expectations.
- Establish clear performance expectations and monitor staff accountability.
- Conduct staff performance evaluations in collaboration with the Residential Program Manager.
- Provide coaching, constructive feedback, and support to address performance concerns.
- Participate in corrective action processes in coordination with the Residential Program Manager and Human Resources.
- Promote professional conduct, teamwork, and effective communication among residential staff.
2. Staff Scheduling & Training
- Develop and maintain staff schedules to ensure appropriate coverage across assigned shifts.
- Coordinate coverage for absences, vacancies, and unexpected staffing needs.
- Monitor attendance, punctuality, and adherence to assigned schedules.
- Coordinate onboarding and orientation for newly hired BHTs and relief staff.
- Provide training and guidance on residential procedures, medication observation, eMAR, documentation, and emergency response.
- Monitor completion of required organizational training and communicate outstanding requirements to the Residential Program Manager.
3. Therapeutic Community (TC) Model & Residential Operations
- Support the implementation of Akeela’s modified Therapeutic Community (TC) model by promoting resident accountability, peer support, and active participation in recovery.
- Guide BHTs in reinforcing TC principles, program expectations, and consistent behavioral interventions.
- Oversee resident participation in community meetings, client council, assigned responsibilities, and recovery-oriented activities.
- Conduct assigned substance use disorder (SUD) recovery groups focused on recovery education, relapse prevention, coping skills, healthy decision-making, and other approved topics.
- Document group services and resident participation in Akeela’s electronic health record (EHR) in accordance with organizational requirements.
- Oversee daily job functions within the Therapeutic Community (TC) model, including coordinating resident assignments, responsibilities, and leadership roles while promoting accountability and resident participation.
- Promote a structured residential environment that encourages resident leadership, personal responsibility, and positive peer interactions.
- Collaborate with the Residential Program Manager and clinical treatment team to ensure TC practices support residents’ treatment goals and overall program expectations.
4. Resident Safety & Crisis Response
- Oversee implementation of resident supervision procedures, facility rounds, and safety monitoring.
- Provide direction to staff during behavioral incidents, emergencies, and other situations requiring immediate intervention.
- Ensure resident safety concerns and significant changes in functioning are promptly communicated to appropriate leadership and clinical personnel.
- Support staff in using approved de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques within the scope of their training.
- Collaborate with the treatment team to address resident concerns and support continuity of care.
5. Medication Observation & eMAR Oversight
- Oversee staff adherence to Akeela’s medication observation procedures, including observation of resident self-administration.
- Review eMAR documentation for accuracy, completeness, and timely entry.
- Identify and follow up on missed observations, medication refusals, discrepancies, and documentation concerns.
- Ensure assigned medication counts and reconciliation procedures are completed in accordance with organizational policies.
- Provide guidance and additional training to staff when medication observation or documentation concerns are identified.
- Communicate medication-related safety concerns and discrepancies to appropriate leadership and clinical personnel.
6. Documentation, Incident Reporting & Operational Reporting
- Monitor completion and timeliness of BHT shift notes and required residential documentation in the electronic health record (EHR).
- Review incident reports for completeness, accuracy, and appropriate communication to leadership.
- Follow up with staff regarding missing, incomplete, or late documentation.
- Ensure significant incidents, resident safety concerns, and operational issues are promptly escalated.
- Generate and review operational reports related to documentation, staffing, incidents, and other assigned program activities.
- Identify recurring documentation or operational concerns and recommend improvements to the Residential Program Manager.
7. Environment of Care (EOC) & Emergency Preparedness
- Coordinate and monitor completion of required fire drills, evacuation drills, and emergency preparedness exercises.
- Review emergency drill documentation for accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.
- Oversee assigned environmental and facility safety checks.
- Ensure identified hazards, maintenance concerns, and safety deficiencies are reported and addressed through established procedures.
- Support staff understanding and implementation of emergency response and evacuation procedures.
- Collaborate with the Residential Program Manager to maintain readiness for Joint Commission Environment of Care and Emergency Management requirements.
8. Residential Operations & Transportation Oversight
- Coordinate daily operational assignments and ensure essential shift responsibilities are completed.
- Monitor staff adherence to urine drug screening procedures and other assigned resident monitoring activities.
- Coordinate resident transportation for approved appointments, community activities, and other authorized destinations.
- Ensure staff follow Akeela’s Client Transportation Policies and promptly report transportation-related incidents, safety concerns, or vehicle issues.
- Transport residents when necessary and in accordance with Akeela’s Client Transportation Policies.
- Identify operational barriers and work with the Residential Program Manager to implement practical solutions.
9. Regulatory Compliance & Professional Development
- Support staff adherence to applicable Joint Commission standards, Alaska Medicaid regulations, and Akeela’s organizational policies and procedures relevant to residential treatment services.
- Complete required onboarding, orientation, and ongoing organizational training.
- Complete required training in medication observation, eMAR, crisis intervention, emergency preparedness, and other assigned responsibilities.
- Participate in leadership meetings, supervision, and organizational training activities.
- Communicate identified compliance concerns to the Residential Program Manager and appropriate leadership.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCY SKILLS
- Effective leadership, staff supervision, and performance management skills.
- Strong interpersonal communication, coaching, and conflict resolution abilities.
- Ability to organize staff schedules, prioritize responsibilities, and coordinate daily operations.
- Sound judgment and ability to respond appropriately during emergencies and behavioral incidents.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify documentation and operational deficiencies.
- Proficiency with computers, email, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office applications, and electronic documentation systems.
- Ability to learn, use, and support staff with electronic health records (EHR) and eMAR systems.
- Ability to analyze basic operational information and prepare reports.
- Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and accountability.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with residential staff, clinical personnel, and organizational leadership.
KNOWLEDGE
- Understanding of substance use disorders, recovery principles, and residential treatment services.
- Knowledge of resident supervision, behavioral support, and crisis intervention practices.
- Familiarity with residential recovery programming and modified Therapeutic Community approaches.
- Understanding of staff supervision, scheduling, training, and performance management practices.
- Knowledge of medication observation, eMAR documentation, and medication safety procedures.
- Familiarity with EHR documentation, incident reporting, and confidentiality requirements.
- Understanding of environmental safety, emergency preparedness, and resident rights.
- General awareness of Joint Commission standards and Alaska Medicaid requirements applicable to residential treatment services.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Skills – Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education & Experience:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, psychology, social work, counseling, human services, management, or a related field preferred.
- Certification through the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification (ACBHC), including Counselor Trainee (CT), Behavioral Health Technician (BHT), Chemical Dependency Counselor I (CDC I), Chemical Dependency Counselor II (CDC II), or Certified Peer Support Specialist, preferred but not required.
- Previous experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, residential services, or human services preferred.
- Previous supervisory, team leadership, or staff coordination experience preferred.
- Knowledge or experience with residential recovery programs or Therapeutic Community approaches preferred but not required.
- Basic computer literacy required, including the ability to manage email, use Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office applications, and complete electronic documentation.
- Experience using electronic health records (EHR) preferred.
- Ability to review documentation, prepare operational reports, and support staff with basic technology-related tasks.
- Valid, current driver’s license required, with the ability to meet Akeela’s driving eligibility requirements and comply with Akeela’s Client Transportation Policies.
- Ability to complete required organizational training.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overnight coverage as operationally necessary.
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, staff, clinical personnel, and organizational leadership.
- Ability to read, write, and speak English.