MHT EXTERNSHIP
Mental Health Technician Externship in Idaho
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on behavioral health experience across The Gem 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
75+
ID BH Facilities
$0
Externship Cost
420+
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 Idaho
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 — State Hospital South, State Hospital North, Intermountain Hospital, Safe Haven Hospital
- ✓ 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 Idaho
Idaho has 75+ behavioral health facilities including psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers, and community mental health programs. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Boise Metro (Ada, Canyon Counties)
Idaho's largest city and healthcare hub with major behavioral health facilities.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Intermountain Hospital (Boise), Safe Haven Hospital of Treasure Valley, St. Luke's Behavioral Health, Saint Alphonsus Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Centers:
Idaho Behavioral Health, Lifeways Community Mental Health, Terry Reilly Health Services BH, Advocates Against Family Violence
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Idaho Youth Ranch, Walker Center, Port of Hope, Boise Crisis Line, Idaho Crisis Services
💡 Boise has most behavioral health opportunities in Idaho. Intermountain and Safe Haven are major psychiatric employers. One of America's fastest-growing cities.
Eastern Idaho (Bonneville, Bannock Counties)
Idaho Falls and Pocatello with Behavioral Health Crisis Center and regional services.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
State Hospital South (Blackfoot), Portneuf Behavioral Health, Idaho Falls Community Hospital BH, Eastern Idaho Regional BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Behavioral Health Crisis Center of East Idaho, Region 6 Behavioral Health, ISU Psychology Clinic, Family Services Alliance
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Recovery Idaho East, Pocatello Crisis Services, Eastern Idaho Crisis Line, Bonneville County Crisis
💡 Eastern Idaho has State Hospital South in Blackfoot. Significant rural shortages. Idaho National Laboratory nearby drives professional population.
North Idaho (Kootenai County)
Coeur d'Alene and resort communities with Kootenai Behavioral Health.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
State Hospital North (Orofino), Kootenai Behavioral Health, Heritage Health Behavioral, Northern Idaho Crisis Center
Behavioral Health Centers:
Kootenai Behavioral Health (outpatient), Idaho Youth Ranch North, Region 1 Mental Health, Panhandle Health District BH
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Northwest Recovery, Kootenai Recovery Community, North Idaho Crisis Services, Region 1 Crisis Line
💡 North Idaho is growing rapidly with Spokane spillover. State Hospital North in Orofino serves northern region. Beautiful lake region attracts workers.
Twin Falls/South Central (Twin Falls, Jerome Counties)
Agricultural region with St. Luke's Magic Valley behavioral services.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
St. Luke's Magic Valley Behavioral Health, Cassia Regional Hospital BH, Minidoka Memorial BH, Gooding Hospital BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Walker Center, Family Health Services BH, South Central Community Mental Health, College of Southern Idaho Counseling
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Region 5 Recovery Services, Magic Valley Crisis Services, Twin Falls Crisis Line, South Central Crisis
💡 South Central Idaho serves agricultural communities. Significant shortages. Spanish bilingual valuable for migrant worker populations.
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 Idaho?
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 Idaho:
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