Lead Behavioral Health Technician

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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 org