MHT EXTERNSHIP
Mental Health Technician Externship in Massachusetts
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on behavioral health experience across The Bay 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
380+
MA BH Facilities
$0
Externship Cost
2,100+
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 Massachusetts
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 — McLean Hospital, Massachusetts General Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center BH, Tewksbury 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 Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 380+ behavioral health facilities including psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers, and community mental health programs. Here are potential externship sites by region.
Boston Metro (Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk Counties)
World's behavioral health capital with McLean, MGH, and major academic centers.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
McLean Hospital (Harvard/premier), Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center Psychiatry, Brigham Psychiatry, Beth Israel BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Bay Cove Human Services, Vinfen, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston Emergency Services Team, Eliot Community Human Services
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
McLean Addiction, AdCare Hospital, Shattuck Hospital, Boston Crisis Team (BEST), MGH Crisis
💡 Boston has world-class behavioral health. McLean Hospital is Harvard-affiliated and globally renowned. Extremely competitive but unmatched training and experience.
Cambridge/MetroWest (Middlesex County)
Harvard, MIT, and biotech corridor with Cambridge Health Alliance behavioral services.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Cambridge Health Alliance Psychiatry, Mount Auburn Hospital Psychiatry, MetroWest Medical Center BH, Newton-Wellesley BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Cambridge Health Alliance CMH, Advocates Inc, South Middlesex Opportunity Council BH, Justice Resource Institute
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Spectrum Health Systems, Middlesex Recovery, Cambridge Crisis Team, MetroWest Crisis Services
💡 Cambridge/MetroWest has Harvard/MIT influence. Biotech corridor creates mental health innovation focus. Very high cost of living but cutting-edge opportunities.
Worcester/Central Mass (Worcester County)
UMass Memorial and community behavioral health serving central Massachusetts.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
UMass Memorial Psychiatry, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (state), St. Vincent Hospital Psychiatry, Harrington BH
Behavioral Health Centers:
Community Healthlink (major CMH), Open Sky Community Services, YOU Inc, Central Mass Recovery Learning Community
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
AdCare Worcester, Spectrum Worcester, Worcester Crisis Team, Community Healthlink Crisis
💡 Worcester is Massachusetts' 2nd largest city. Worcester Recovery Center is state facility. Lower cost of living than Boston with solid opportunities.
Western Mass (Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire Counties)
Springfield and Berkshires with Baystate Behavioral and community providers.
Psychiatric Hospitals:
Baystate Medical Center Behavioral Health, Cooley Dickinson Psychiatry, Berkshire Medical Center Psychiatry, Providence Behavioral (Holyoke)
Behavioral Health Centers:
Behavioral Health Network (major), ServiceNet, Clinical & Support Options, Brien Center for Mental Health
Substance Abuse/Crisis:
Gandara Center, Cooley Dickinson Recovery, Springfield Crisis Team, BHN Crisis Services
💡 Western Massachusetts has lower cost of living than eastern MA. Baystate is regional academic center. Berkshires attract creative/artistic community with behavioral health needs.
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 Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts:
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