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Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce

Behavioral Health Technician Play an Important Role in Healthcare 

The Behavioral Health Technician plays an important role in any health care setting – hospital inpatient/outpatient, psychiatric facility, clinic, and in an EmPATH (Emergency, Psychiatric, Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) unit – by helping patients stabilize, get treatment, and prepare for discharge. 

SCHA, as part of its efforts in helping member hospitals increase and retain their workforce, is helping to promote Behavioral Health Technician certification to high school students. This position is designed to prepare students for basic entry-level careers in behavioral health and addiction counseling settings. The certificate will provide students with the necessary structure and course requirements to meet industry, occupation, and DHS competencies and requirements.  

“I’ve learned that a Behavioral Health Technician becomes the eyes and ears on the hospital floor or unit while working closely with a nurse leader,” said Lara Hewitt, SCHA’s VP of Workforce. “The Behavioral Health Technician observes how patients are doing and takes part in their activities as appropriate. People in these positions have good communication skills, they are non-judging, and they are excellent listeners. Like all hands-on health care positions, it comes with challenges; however, it can be very gratifying, too, with helping patients move away from a crisis, becoming stabilized, responding to treatment, and continuing  treatment outside of the hospital with much success.” 

The South Carolina’s Technical School System includes 16 colleges (see map below & enlarge) throughout the state offering the same curriculum to become certified as a Behavioral Health Technician. The curriculum includes 11 credit hours with focus on: 

  • Personal and Professional Development in Helping Professions (3 credit hours). This course provides students with the opportunity to gain a greater awareness of “self” through values clarification activities, reflective writings, etc., and to understand how attitudes, values, and beliefs impact both their personal and professional lives.  
  • AHS 120: Responding to Emergencies (2 credit hours) – This course is a study of emergency care procedures utilizing first aid and CPR principles.  
  • AHS 182: Introduction to the Mental Health Technician (3 credit hours) – This course is a study of procedures for patient care or health professionals including vital signs, patient transport, patient care relations and patient communications for the in-patient mental healthcare setting.  
  • AHS 183: Role of the Mental Health Technician in Practice (3 credit hours) – This course facilitates the utilization of the human services support processes to assist in meeting the needs of patients with common mental health problems. Focus is on the dynamics of human behavior ranging from normal to extreme.  
  • Anticipated clinical hours are 90 with experiences taking place in AHS 182 and AHS 183.  

According to the SC Technical School System, applicants must meet general college requirements for admissions, and, for financial aid, the Behavioral Health Technician certificate is designed to qualify for state financial aid, specifically Lottery Tuition Assistance, the South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship, and Workforce Scholarships and Grants. The program also qualifies for Workforce Scholarships for the Future. 

How to get involved: For more information on Behavioral Health Technician certification, please contact Lara Hewitt at lhewitt@scha.org.