Behavioral Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota
Behavioral Health Technician jobs in South Dakota are consistently active, concentrated in community mental health centers, tribal health programs, and residential treatment facilities, with openings ranging from entry-level support roles to senior direct-care positions. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen are the primary hiring hubs, where established employers such as Avera Health, Sanford Health, and the Department of Social Services maintain ongoing demand. Autism support, substance use disorder treatment, and crisis stabilization are the specialties drawing the most consistent job postings across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 30+ Behavioral Health Technician jobs











Location:
Worker Type:
RegularWork Shift:
Rotating days/evenings/nights/weekends/holidays (United States of America)Pay Range:
The pay range for this position is listed below. Actual pay rate dependent upon experience.
$21.75 - $33.00Position Highlights
This position may be eligible for a $3,000 Sign on Bonus
Why is Behavioral Health important?
The Avera Behavioral Health Acute Unit is a short term inpatient unit with safety and stabilization as the primary focus for patients. During patient’s stay on the Acute unit, patients actively participate in healthy living and expressive therapies which include art, music and fitness therapy.
You will enjoy this Behavioral Health setting if you are someone that:
- Enjoys patient focused care with a team that is dedicated to quality patient outcomes
- Likes working with the Adult population as well as their families
- Has a passion helping patients with conditions such as Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Bipolar, Depression, Addictive disorders
- Appreciates an active, challenging care environment that requires critical thinking.
- Values autonomous professional nursing practice.
- Possesses motivation to help create and deliver high-quality patient care in an energizing team environment.
Position Highlights:
- Acute unit is a 18 bed unit
- Opportunity to meet 60+ coworkers and work in a positive environment
- Opportunity to change the lives of your patients
- Self-scheduling program
Varied Shifts; 72hrs/2wks
You Belong at Avera
Be part of a multidisciplinary team built with compassion and the goal of Moving Health Forward for you and our patients. Work where you matter.
A Brief Overview
Provides physical and psychological care to patients under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. Assumes responsibility and accountability for individual actions and outcomes of patient care delivered.
What you will do
- Works with individual patients in a 1-on-1 setting or in a group setting that is consistent with the nursing care needs of the patient and the inter-disciplinary treatment plan.
- Participates in the daily inter-disciplinary treatment team meeting as needed, providing input in terms of patient behaviors and interactions with others.
- Implements suicide precautions as needed.
- Assesses changes in patient’s condition/behavior and notifies RN.
- Assists with patient and family programs as well as being continually cognizant of the safety and welfare of all participants.
- Assists with the activities of daily living care of the patients to include, but not limited to: vital signs, collection of specimens, and other general nursing care procedures.
- Assesses individual patient needs and provides input in creating and modifying the nursing care plan and assists with implementing necessary therapeutic activities.
- Maintains accurate and concise records, documenting promptly all pertinent information in the patient’s EMR.
- Assesses impending agitation and escalation of behavioral changes and participates in the behavioral management of these patients.
- Researches, plans, and implements the updating and development of new therapeutic patient groups with oversight from the Programming Committee.
Essential Qualifications
The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.
Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- Bachelor's Psychology, Social Work, criminal justice, education, behavior analysis, health or social sciences, counseling, alcohol studies, liberal arts, or any other human services and/or medical field or
- Associate's Behavioral Health
Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:
- 1-3 years related experience
Expectations and Standards
- Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.
- Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
- Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
- Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.
Benefits You Need & Then Some
Avera is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying part-time and full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.
PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement
Career development guided by hands-on training and mentorship
Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to talent@avera.org.
See All 30 Behavioral Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Technician Jobs by City in South Dakota
Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Technician Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Avera Health23

- Sanford Health2

- Monument Health2

- Horizon Health1

- State of Oklahoma1

Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services
What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health technician jobs across South Dakota.
- High school diploma or GED required, associate or bachelor's degree preferred by most employers
- Current CPR and first aid certification required prior to or upon hire
- Experience working with individuals with behavioral health conditions or developmental disabilities
- Ability to pass a South Dakota Department of Social Services background check
- Familiarity with Applied Behavior Analysis principles or direct care documentation systems
- Valid South Dakota driver's license for transporting or accompanying clients in the community
Behavioral Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health technician in South Dakota?
South Dakota does not require a separate state license specifically for behavioral health technicians, but employers typically require a high school diploma or GED, a clean background check processed through the South Dakota Department of Social Services, and current CPR certification. Many positions at community mental health centers or tribal programs prefer candidates who have completed coursework in psychology, human services, or social work. Completing a Registered Behavior Technician credential through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board strengthens candidacy for ABA-focused roles.
Which companies hire behavioral health technicians in South Dakota?
Employers hiring behavioral health technicians in South Dakota right now include Avera Health, Sanford Health, and Monument Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Large integrated health systems like Avera Health and Sanford Health anchor hiring in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, while tribal health programs and community mental health centers fill consistent openings across rural and reservation communities throughout the state.
Which South Dakota cities have the most behavioral health technician jobs?
Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Hughes County have the most behavioral health technician openings in South Dakota. Sioux Falls leads because it is home to the state's largest health systems and most concentrated network of outpatient and residential behavioral health programs, while Rapid City draws significant volume from its regional medical facilities and proximity to tribal health services in western South Dakota, and Aberdeen contributes steady openings through its community mental health and rural health infrastructure.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health technician in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to community mental health centers and residential care facilities, which regularly hire candidates without prior experience and provide on-the-job training. Avera Behavioral Health and Sanford Behavioral Health both post entry-level direct support and technician associate roles that do not require prior clinical experience. Lateral moves from certified nursing assistant, paraprofessional educator, or youth care worker positions are common stepping stones. Completing the Registered Behavior Technician training and competency assessment before applying gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health technician jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to behavioral health technician jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state right now. Search by city or role to see what is available, then apply directly to the positions that fit your experience and schedule.
See All 30 Behavioral Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs