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.
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Licensed Professional Counselor- MH- Part time
Deer Oaks Behavioral Health — Long-Term Care Clinical Services
Join a mission-driven behavioral health organization that has been a trusted partner to Long-Term Care (LTC) communities for over 30 years. Deer Oaks is a nationally recognized leader in geriatric behavioral health, partnering with thousands of facilities across the country to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care to older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions.
We are seeking a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC- MH) to join our integrated clinical team. In this role, you will work onsite in one or more long-term care facilities within your local community, providing therapy, assessment, care planning, and behavioral health support. This position offers professional autonomy, a predictable Monday–Friday schedule, and robust administrative and clinical support so you can focus on what matters most—helping patients thrive.
What You’ll Do
As a key member of the interdisciplinary team, you will:
Clinical Care
- Provide individual, family, and group therapy to LTC residents.
- Conduct clinical assessments, psychosocial evaluations, screenings, and treatment planning.
- Support residents with depression, anxiety, adjustment to illness, grief, trauma, substance use, behavioral disturbances, and other conditions common in LTC settings.
- Deliver behavioral management and brief, goal-oriented interventions aligned with best practices in geriatric care.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Work closely with nursing, social services, rehabilitation, and medical providers to coordinate treatment and improve resident outcomes.
- Participate in care plan discussions, facility meetings, and case collaborations as needed.
Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain complete and timely documentation using our Geriatric Notes Tool (GNT).
- Follow ethical, professional, and regulatory guidelines for clinical documentation, confidentiality, and care delivery.
Facility Partnership
- Build strong, professional relationships with facility staff and leadership.
- Serve as a behavioral health resource and trusted partner in supporting residents’ mental and emotional needs.
Why Choose Deer Oaks?
We are a provider-centric organization that takes pride in supporting our clinicians with the tools, training, and benefits they need to succeed.
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible scheduling — create your own Monday–Friday schedule
- No evenings, weekends, or on-call
- Autonomy in organizing your daily workflow and caseload
Professional Growth
- ASWB-accredited CEUs at no cost
- Ongoing clinical support, mentorship, and consultation
- Access to geriatric-specific clinical training and specialty resources
Robust Administrative Support
- Dedicated teams for billing, collections, credentialing, insurance, and scheduling
- HIPAA-compliant documentation system and efficient workflows
- Liability insurance provided (100% company-paid) for full-time and part-time staff
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive compensation model
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance- full time
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Generous PTO and paid holidays- full time
Who Thrives in this Role?
- LPCs who value autonomy paired with team collaboration
- Clinicians who enjoy working with older adults and medically complex individuals
- Strong communicators comfortable partnering with facility staff
- Providers who are organized, compassionate, and clinically confident
- Clinicians seeking long-term stability in a supportive environment
What You’ll Need
- Active, unrestricted LPC license
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team
- Comfortable navigating LTC environments
- Commitment to timely documentation and high-quality care
About Deer Oaks - The Behavioral Health Solution
Focused exclusively on behavioral health in long-term care since 1992, Deer Oaks proudly serves thousands of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities nationwide. Our mission is to enhance the emotional well-being and quality of life of residents through compassionate, clinically excellent behavioral health services.
To learn more about our organization, visit www.deeroaks.com.
or contact:
Deena Mullins, Recruitment Partner, email: dmullins@deeroaks.com, (mailto:dmullins@deeroaks.com)Cell: (210) 237-6478
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 7 Mental Health Technician Jobs in South Dakota
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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


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 Youth & Family Services, Community Counseling Services, and South Dakota State Government, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 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?
Rapid City, 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 0% of mental health technician openings tied to South Dakota are remote or hybrid as of October 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.
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