Behavioral Health Technician Jobs in Iowa
Behavioral Health Technician jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where large systems like UnityPoint Health, Broadlawns Medical Center, and Genesis Health System maintain steady demand for direct-care and crisis support roles. Openings exist at every experience level, from entry-level residential support to senior behavioral health specialists working in community mental health and substance use programs. Demand for technicians with experience in autism support, crisis intervention, and co-occurring disorders remains particularly strong across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 54+ Behavioral Health Technician jobs
Families First is looking for an individual to join our team as a Behavior Health Specialist!
This position will serve the city of Bettendorf in Clinton and Scott Counties and surrounding areas in Iowa; regular travel is required.
Job Responsibilities
· Meet with clients and families as prescribed by the assessing clinician.
· Demonstrate a working knowledge of mental health diagnoses, symptoms, and effective treatment interventions.
· Utilize a holistic, systems and strengths-based approach to working with clients.
· Execute individual treatment plans utilizing curriculum and evidenced based practices.
· Understand and engage in the importance of planning for client discharge from service onset and makes referrals and recommendations accordingly.
· Ensure documentation is completed accurately and timely including, but not limited to the consent packet and releases of information (as applicable), the implementation plan signature page, the individualized crisis plan, session notes, 90-day reports, discharges, and referrals for reauthorizations.
· Communicate with members of the client’s team regarding progress, lack of progress and recommendations and attend multidisciplinary and other team meetings as applicable.
· Maintain and document face-to-face contact in alignment with agency policy and in accordance to units authorized through the treatment planning process.
· Document and provide quarterly progress reports to the client, the client’s family, and the assessing clinician.
Qualifications
· Education requirements:
· A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Human Services related field from an accredited college/university with twenty (20) hours Child Mental Health Training; or
· A Bachelor’s Degree in a non-Human Services field with thirty (30) hours Child Mental Health Training.
· Possess and maintain a valid Iowa driver’s license and personal automobile insurance.
· Have immediate access to reliable transportation.
About Families First
Families First is one of the leading providers of family based, in-home and in-office services in the State of Iowa. Our employees assist children and families with daily stressors, enabling them to balance a family, work, and school.
· We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
· We serve approximately 3,000 individuals through our various programs in forty-seven counties within the State.
· We employ approximately 260 employees.
Join our Team – Apply Today!
Families First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment background check required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $36,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
Families First is looking for an individual to join our team as a Behavior Health Specialist!
This position will serve the city of Bettendorf in Clinton and Scott Counties and surrounding areas in Iowa; regular travel is required.
Job Responsibilities
· Meet with clients and families as prescribed by the assessing clinician.
· Demonstrate a working knowledge of mental health diagnoses, symptoms, and effective treatment interventions.
· Utilize a holistic, systems and strengths-based approach to working with clients.
· Execute individual treatment plans utilizing curriculum and evidenced based practices.
· Understand and engage in the importance of planning for client discharge from service onset and makes referrals and recommendations accordingly.
· Ensure documentation is completed accurately and timely including, but not limited to the consent packet and releases of information (as applicable), the implementation plan signature page, the individualized crisis plan, session notes, 90-day reports, discharges, and referrals for reauthorizations.
· Communicate with members of the client’s team regarding progress, lack of progress and recommendations and attend multidisciplinary and other team meetings as applicable.
· Maintain and document face-to-face contact in alignment with agency policy and in accordance to units authorized through the treatment planning process.
· Document and provide quarterly progress reports to the client, the client’s family, and the assessing clinician.
Qualifications
· Education requirements:
· A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Human Services related field from an accredited college/university with twenty (20) hours Child Mental Health Training; or
· A Bachelor’s Degree in a non-Human Services field with thirty (30) hours Child Mental Health Training.
· Possess and maintain a valid Iowa driver’s license and personal automobile insurance.
· Have immediate access to reliable transportation.
About Families First
Families First is one of the leading providers of family based, in-home and in-office services in the State of Iowa. Our employees assist children and families with daily stressors, enabling them to balance a family, work, and school.
· We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
· We serve approximately 3,000 individuals through our various programs in forty-seven counties within the State.
· We employ approximately 260 employees.
Join our Team – Apply Today!
Families First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment background check required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $36,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
See All 54 Behavioral Health Technician Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Technician Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Technician Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health technician jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa certification or registration as a behavioral health technician or equivalent credential
- High school diploma or GED with relevant behavioral health coursework or associate degree preferred
- Experience providing direct care or behavioral support in a residential or clinical setting
- Working knowledge of behavior intervention plans and de-escalation techniques
- Valid Iowa driver's license and reliable transportation for community-based positions
- Ability to pass a state background check and child and dependent adult abuse registry clearance
Behavioral Health Technician Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health technician in Iowa?
Iowa does not require a single statewide license specific to behavioral health technicians, but most employers require a high school diploma or associate degree in human services, psychology, or a related field alongside a Registered Behavior Technician credential issued through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Many Iowa employers also require completion of a state-approved direct support professional training program. A clean background check through the Iowa Department of Human Services is standard before any hire.
Which companies hire behavioral health technicians in Iowa?
Iowa behavioral health technician roles are posted by The University of Iowa, MercyOne, and Heartland ABA and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's network of community mental health centers, including those affiliated with UnityPoint Health and the University of Iowa Health Care system, also post openings regularly throughout the year.
Which Iowa cities have the most behavioral health technician jobs?
Iowa City, Johnston, and Ottumwa have the most behavioral health technician openings in Iowa. Des Moines dominates as the state's largest metro with major health systems and county mental health services, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport draw volume from regional hospital networks, residential treatment facilities, and school-based behavioral health programs serving their surrounding counties.
Are there remote behavioral health technician jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. The behavioral health technician role is primarily hands-on and requires direct client contact in residential, clinical, or community settings. About 0% of behavioral health technician openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve telehealth intake coordination, case documentation, or behavioral data review rather than direct care delivery.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health technician in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a direct support professional or behavioral health aide role at a community mental health center or residential treatment facility, where on-the-job training is standard. UnityPoint Health and Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines both run structured new-employee orientation programs that include behavioral intervention training. Earning a Registered Behavior Technician credential before applying significantly strengthens a candidate's profile and is attainable without a college degree. Adjacent roles like crisis line advocate or residential support worker are also common stepping stones into the field in Iowa.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health technician jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to behavioral health technician jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers across the state. Search for roles that match your experience level and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 54 Behavioral Health Technician Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs