Job Overview

This is a Behavioral Health Technician role based in Des Moines, IA. You'll be working directly with clients, helping them build daily living skills and manage their behavior. The job is hands on and structured. Most days involve direct client contact in a clinical or residential setting. It's not a desk job; you're on your feet, moving through the space, interacting constantly.

Duties & Responsibilities / JobXi / Des Moines, IA

Implement treatment plans. You'll follow behavior plans designed by supervisors. That means running specific interventions throughout the day.
Collect data on client behaviors. This isn't optional; it drives every decision about care. You'll track frequency, duration, and intensity of target behaviors.
De escalate crisis situations. Some days are calm. Others aren't. You need to stay cool and use approved de escalation techniques when a client becomes agitated or aggressive.
Document everything accurately. Session notes, incident reports, daily logs; they all need to be clear and completed before end of shift.
Help clients practice life skills. From hygiene routines to meal prep to social interactions, you're coaching independence step by step.

Requirements / JobXi / Des Moines, IA

A high school diploma or GED. Some roles prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field.
A current Behavioral Health Technician certification (CBT), or willingness to obtain one within 30 days of hire. Some states have extra requirements; check local rules for Des Moines, IA.
A clean background check. State and federal checks will be run. Certain convictions may disqualify you from this line of work.
A valid driver's license. Many positions require transport between facilities or into the community with clients.
The ability to stand for extended periods and physically intervene if needed. This includes bending, kneeling, lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, and completing CPI or similar restraint training annually.

What It's Like in This Role / JobXi / Des Moines, IA

The work environment varies across employers in Des Moines, IA. Typically you're in a clinic group home or outpatient center alongside other technicians nurses and therapists. Team dynamics matter here; everyone shares updates during huddle before shift changes so nothing falls through the cracks. You'll document using standard electronic health record systems like CentralReach Theranest or similar platforms depending on the employer. Schedules often stretch across different hours because coverage might be needed early mornings evenings weekends or overnight shifts depending where you land. The workload can feel heavy some days emotionally draining others deeply rewarding but it rarely stays monotonous because each person responds differently moment to moment Clients rely on consistency so showing up prepared matters more than charisma here

The Opportunity Here Isn't Bad at All

The schedule has some give built into it ; part time full time weekend only options exist depending what works for your life right now Many positions offer paid training toward more advanced certifications like RBT BCAT or even higher credentialing later down the road Since it's posted through JobXi multiple employers around Des Moines, IA could see your application so there's room to find something that actually fits instead of settling You'll pick up real world clinical experience fast too which opens doors further into behavioral health counseling nursing special education ; whatever direction interests you later

Schedule & Work Type

Full time part time per diem slots are available across different postings Most work is onsite at facilities around Des Moines, IA though some employers offer hybrid intake positions that combine home visits Shifts generally fall between 6 AM–9 PM Monday through Friday plus rotating weekends at certain sites Overnight awake staff positions exist too especially residential care settings

Behavioral Health Technician