MHT EXTERNSHIP
Mental Health Technician Externship in Arizona
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on behavioral health experience across The Grand Canyon State. Build clinical skills, make a difference in patients' lives, and connect with employers in mental healthcare.
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Flexible
Hours
40-80
Hours Recommended
280+
AZ BH Facilities
$0
Externship Cost
1,400+
Annual Openings
Why Get an MHT Externship?
A Mental Health Technician externship gives you real-world behavioral health experience that employers value. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychiatric technicians earn a median salary of $38,000+ with faster-than-average job growth due to increased mental health awareness.
An externship helps you:
- ✓ Practice patient observation, de-escalation, and therapeutic communication in real settings
- ✓ Build professional references from behavioral health supervisors
- ✓ Discover which setting fits you best (inpatient, residential, crisis, substance abuse)
- ✓ Convert your externship into a job offer — behavioral health has high demand
New to behavioral health? EHired offers free training to prepare you for AMCA MHT certification. An externship is optional but highly recommended for building confidence and making a real difference in patients' lives.
⚠️ Important: EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. You contact facilities directly to arrange your own placement. This self-managed approach gives you flexibility to choose sites near your home and build direct relationships with potential employers.
How to Find an Externship in Arizona
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a behavioral health externship.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities that employ Mental Health Technicians:
- ✓ Psychiatric hospitals — Inpatient behavioral health units
- ✓ Behavioral health centers — Banner Behavioral Health, Arizona State Hospital, Connections Health Solutions, Valle del Sol
- ✓ Residential treatment — Long-term mental health facilities
- ✓ Substance abuse centers — Detox and rehab facilities
- ✓ Crisis stabilization units — Short-term crisis care
- ✓ Community mental health — Outpatient behavioral health
- ✓ VA medical centers — Veterans mental health programs
Prepare Your Approach
Get ready before contacting sites:
- ✓ Update your resume — Include EHired training, any healthcare/human services experience
- ✓ Prepare a pitch — "I'm completing MHT training and seeking hands-on behavioral health experience"
- ✓ Highlight your qualities — Patience, empathy, communication skills, reliability
- ✓ Be flexible — Behavioral health is 24/7; offer evening/weekend availability
- ✓ Expect background check — Most behavioral health facilities require this
Make Contact
Reach out to facilities directly:
- ✓ Call first — Ask for the unit manager, nurse manager, or HR department
- ✓ Email HR — Many behavioral health facilities prefer email inquiries
- ✓ Explain the arrangement — Unpaid, flexible hours, eager to learn and help
- ✓ Emphasize commitment — Mental health work requires dedication
- ✓ Follow up — If no response in 1 week, call again politely
Complete Your Externship
Make the most of your experience:
- ✓ Track your hours — Log date, hours, and experiences
- ✓ Learn actively — Observe de-escalation, ask questions appropriately
- ✓ Maintain boundaries — Professional relationships with patients always
- ✓ Practice self-care — Behavioral health work can be emotionally demanding
- ✓ Ask about openings — Express interest in future employment
Sample Script: Calling a Behavioral Health Facility
"Hi, my name is [Your Name]. I'm completing a Mental Health Technician training program and I'm looking to gain hands-on experience in behavioral health through an externship. I'm passionate about helping people with mental health challenges and I'm wondering if your facility might have room for an extern? I'm flexible with scheduling, including evenings and weekends, and I'm prepared to complete any required background check. Would it be possible to speak with someone in HR or a unit manager about this opportunity?"
Key points to emphasize: You're trained, you're passionate about mental health, you're flexible with scheduling (24/7 field), and you understand the importance of the work. Behavioral health facilities value dedication and empathy.
Where to Find Externships in Arizona
Arizona has 280+ behavioral health facilities including psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers, and community mental health programs. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Phoenix Metro (Maricopa County)
Arizona's largest metro with Banner, Dignity Health, and Valley behavioral health systems.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, Arizona State Hospital, Dignity Health Arizona General Psychiatric, Abrazo Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Centers:
Terros Health, Community Bridges, Valle del Sol, La Frontera EMPACT, Jewish Family & Children's Service BH
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Aurora Behavioral Health (Tempe, Glendale), Scottsdale Recovery, Community Bridges Crisis, Mercy Care Crisis Line
💡 Phoenix has 65% of AZ behavioral health jobs. Banner Behavioral Health and Arizona State Hospital are largest employers. Bilingual Spanish valuable.
Tucson Metro (Pima County)
Southern Arizona hub with Banner South, Pima County BH, and border region services.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Banner University Medical Center South Psych, Tucson Medical Center Behavioral, Southern Arizona VA Healthcare BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Community Partners Inc, CODAC Behavioral Health, Pima County Behavioral Health, La Frontera Center, Hope Inc
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Sierra Tucson, Cottonwood Tucson, Sonora Behavioral Health, Las Familias Crisis Center
💡 Tucson has UA influence and serves US-Mexico border region. Bilingual Spanish essential. Sierra Tucson nationally recognized addiction facility.
Flagstaff/Northern Arizona (Coconino, Yavapai Counties)
Mountain communities with NAU influence and tribal health services.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Flagstaff Medical Center Behavioral Health, Verde Valley Medical Center Psych, Yavapai Regional Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Centers:
North Country HealthCare BH, Terros Flagstaff, West Yavapai Guidance Clinic, Catholic Charities BH
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
The Guidance Center, Windhaven Behavioral, Flagstaff Shelter Services, Sedona Crisis Services
💡 Northern AZ has NAU influence and significant Native American populations. Tribal health systems (Navajo, Hopi) are major employers. Rural shortages with incentives.
East Valley/Southeast Arizona (Pinal, Cochise Counties)
Fast-growing East Valley and rural southeast border region.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Banner Ironwood Behavioral, Copper Springs East (Mesa), Casa Grande Regional Behavioral, Southeast AZ Health Center BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Horizon Health & Wellness, Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health, Pinal Hispanic Council, Chicanos Por La Causa BH
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Calvary Healing Center, Hope Lives Vail, Arizona Complete Health Crisis, Casa Grande Crisis Services
💡 East Valley (Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler) is fast-growing. Southeast AZ serves rural ranching communities and border region. Critical shortages in rural areas.
What You'll Learn During Your Externship
A behavioral health externship exposes you to real patient care in mental health settings. Here are skills you'll develop:
Patient Observation
Monitoring patient behavior, mood changes, and safety. Documenting observations accurately for clinical staff.
De-escalation Techniques
Learning verbal and non-verbal strategies to calm agitated patients. Crisis prevention and intervention basics.
Therapeutic Communication
Active listening, empathetic responses, and appropriate boundaries. Building rapport with patients in distress.
Documentation
Recording patient behaviors, incidents, and progress. Understanding behavioral health charting requirements.
ADL Assistance
Helping patients with daily activities—hygiene, meals, medication reminders. Supporting patient independence.
Safety Monitoring
Conducting safety checks, understanding suicide precautions, and maintaining secure environments.
Ready to Start Your MHT Career in Arizona?
Free to enroll. Free to learn. Pay $650 only when you're ready to certify.
No credit card required • No FAFSA • No obligation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MHT externships in Arizona:
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