St. Luke’s University Health Network has developed a program to work in the behavioral health field. Participants receive paid training.

The St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Technician Training Academy is designed to provide the foundational education and groundwork to become a Behavioral Health Technician within its Behavioral Health Inpatient Services.

It is a full-time, paid, four-week training program of classroom training, simulation labs, electronic health record training and job shadowing. No previous experience is necessary.

The first training program begins Sept. 19.

Cindi Reade, network director for Behavioral Health Support Services, said that behavioral health technicians play a vital role in the delivery of health care for an acute inpatient psychiatric population.

They help with administrative and clinical duties, including checking a patient’s vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring and maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment and supporting the nurse and the rest of the clinical team in delivering direct patient care.

The program’s curriculum includes therapeutic communication; mental health terminology, illnesses, and treatment; vital signs and activities of daily living

safety and management of the patient environment; violence prevention, and team building activities.

Graduates will be placed in a position in the inpatient clinical services at St. Luke’s.

For more information or to apply for the program, visit sluhn.org/BHTprogram.