Mental Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota
Mental Health Technician jobs in South Dakota are concentrated in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, where behavioral health demand is consistent across inpatient psychiatric units, residential treatment centers, and community mental health programs. Established employers with a lasting presence in the state include Avera Health, Sanford Health, and the South Dakota Department of Social Services, which collectively account for a large share of openings at every level from entry-level techs to senior behavioral health aides. Crisis intervention, substance use disorder support, and adolescent psychiatric care are the specialties driving the steadiest hiring. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Mental Health Technician JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 7+ Mental Health Technician jobs
Education and Experience
Therapist, at a minimum will possess a Master’s Degree in a Human Services field and must hold or be able to obtain LPC, LPC-MH, CSW, or psychologist licensure within their respective fields. If licensed, maintain licensure status. Current QMHP status is preferred, but will be willing to work to obtain QMHP if currently licensed.
Certificates, licenses, registrations
- LPC, LPC-MH or CSW, psychologist licensure within their respective fields Valid South Dakota Driver’s license
- Driver’s license
- Must not be excluded from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and any Federal health care program, as provided by the OIG, USDHHS.
Other qualifications
- Skills, knowledge, and/or experience that demonstrates an ability to deal appropriately and in a caring manner with individuals with severe and persistent illnesses.
- Basic knowledge regarding developmental stages and needs of children.
- Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- A strong commitment to working as an integral part of a team.
- Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one and be willing to transport consumers
Supervisory – as needed for mentoring and licensure candidates
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/CRITICAL JOB ELEMENTS
Client Care
- Conduct client intake, assessments and diagnostic interviews
- Individual and group counseling with clients and family members.
- Develop and update treatment plans in a timely manner.
- Documentation of all clients related contacts reflecting individual treatment plan.
- Complete progress reports and discharge summaries in a timely manner.
- Referral to appropriate services to meet client needs.
- Participate in and utilize treatment teams concepts.
- Case management and liaison services with family and referral sources.
- Participate in weekly staff meetings;
- Provide on-call crisis intervention on a rotating schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Complete outcome tool as directed by Clinical Supervisor
- Complete Division required surveys as directed by Clinical Supervisor
- Other duties as assigned.
- A full time provider will work 40 hours a week.
- Due to the nature of the position, the provider will be expected to work a minimum of one evening per week if needed.
Licensure & Credentialing
- Maintain professional licensure
- Participate with credentialing staff to establish and maintain billing/admitting/service credentials
Pay: From $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Family leave
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Loan repayment program
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Education and Experience
Therapist, at a minimum will possess a Master’s Degree in a Human Services field and must hold or be able to obtain LPC, LPC-MH, CSW, or psychologist licensure within their respective fields. If licensed, maintain licensure status. Current QMHP status is preferred, but will be willing to work to obtain QMHP if currently licensed.
Certificates, licenses, registrations
- LPC, LPC-MH or CSW, psychologist licensure within their respective fields Valid South Dakota Driver’s license
- Driver’s license
- Must not be excluded from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and any Federal health care program, as provided by the OIG, USDHHS.
Other qualifications
- Skills, knowledge, and/or experience that demonstrates an ability to deal appropriately and in a caring manner with individuals with severe and persistent illnesses.
- Basic knowledge regarding developmental stages and needs of children.
- Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- A strong commitment to working as an integral part of a team.
- Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one and be willing to transport consumers
Supervisory – as needed for mentoring and licensure candidates
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/CRITICAL JOB ELEMENTS
Client Care
- Conduct client intake, assessments and diagnostic interviews
- Individual and group counseling with clients and family members.
- Develop and update treatment plans in a timely manner.
- Documentation of all clients related contacts reflecting individual treatment plan.
- Complete progress reports and discharge summaries in a timely manner.
- Referral to appropriate services to meet client needs.
- Participate in and utilize treatment teams concepts.
- Case management and liaison services with family and referral sources.
- Participate in weekly staff meetings;
- Provide on-call crisis intervention on a rotating schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Complete outcome tool as directed by Clinical Supervisor
- Complete Division required surveys as directed by Clinical Supervisor
- Other duties as assigned.
- A full time provider will work 40 hours a week.
- Due to the nature of the position, the provider will be expected to work a minimum of one evening per week if needed.
Licensure & Credentialing
- Maintain professional licensure
- Participate with credentialing staff to establish and maintain billing/admitting/service credentials
Pay: From $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Family leave
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Loan repayment program
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 7 Mental Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mental Health Technician JobsMental Health Technician Jobs by City in South Dakota
Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mental Health Technician Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mental health technician jobs across South Dakota.
- High school diploma or GED recognized by South Dakota hiring standards
- Current BLS or American Heart Association CPR and first aid certification
- Prior experience in a behavioral health, psychiatric, or residential care setting
- Ability to pass a South Dakota DCI criminal background check before hire
- Familiarity with de-escalation techniques and mental health crisis intervention protocols
- Basic proficiency with electronic health record systems used in behavioral health settings
Mental Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mental health technician in South Dakota?
Most mental health technician positions in South Dakota require a high school diploma and, for work in licensed facilities, a background clearance through the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. There is no single state license specific to the mental health technician title, but employers in certified behavioral health facilities often require or strongly prefer candidates who hold a Certified Nursing Assistant credential or have completed a recognized behavioral health technician training program through an institution like Avera or Sanford Health.
Which companies hire mental health technicians in South Dakota?
Employers hiring mental health technicians in South Dakota right now include Legion Health, HELPLINE CENTER, and Monument Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Avera Health and Sanford Health have particularly deep footprints across both Sioux Falls and Rapid City, giving them consistent year-round openings at multiple levels.
Which South Dakota cities have the most mental health technician jobs?
South Dakota, Huron, and Yankton post the most mental health technician openings in South Dakota. Sioux Falls leads because it is home to the flagship campuses of both Avera Health and Sanford Health, while Rapid City draws demand from Monument Health and the Black Hills regional behavioral health network, and Aberdeen benefits from Avera St. Luke's and the surrounding rural referral catchment that funnels inpatient psychiatric cases into the city.
Are there remote mental health technician jobs in South Dakota?
Yes, but they're rare. The mental health technician role is primarily hands-on and facility-based, which limits remote options significantly. About 60% of mental health technician openings tied to South Dakota are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and the ones that do qualify tend to involve telehealth intake coordination, remote patient monitoring support, or behavioral health documentation roles rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a mental health technician in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to a psychiatric technician aide or behavioral health associate role at Avera Health or Sanford Health, both of which hire candidates without prior clinical experience and provide on-the-job orientation. Completing a Certified Nursing Assistant program at a South Dakota technical college, such as Lake Area Technical College or Western Dakota Tech, strengthens a no-experience application considerably. Residential support worker and crisis line operator roles at community mental health centers are also common lateral moves that lead directly into technician positions.
Where can I find and apply to mental health technician jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to mental health technician jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the state. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 7 Mental Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mental Health Technician Jobs