Behavioral Health Specialist

Job description

What You’ll Do
Position Summary:
The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) plays a vital, hands-on role in shaping the daily experience of adolescent and young adult patients in Newport Healthcare’s behavioral health programs. As a frontline team member, the BHS creates a safe, structured, and compassionate environment where patients feel supported, seen, and empowered throughout their healing journey. Newport Healthcare provides evidence-based treatment for mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and co-occurring challenges, with a focus on trauma, anxiety, depression, and family dynamics.
BHS roles exist across multiple levels of care including 24/7 residential treatment and inpatient hospital settings, as well as outpatient/IOP/PHP programs. While core responsibilities are consistent, workflows and acuity vary by setting; training and coaching are provided to ensure success in each environment. Schedules may include day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts in a fast-paced milieu, and a BHS may need to respond to urgent or unique conditions during a scheduled shift.
This role isn’t just important; it’s foundational. BHS team members are the heart of our day-to-day care model, offering meaningful connection and stability that make a lasting difference in patients’ lives. Grounded in our core values of Patient First, Love, Excellence Through Integrity, Compassion, and Connection , the BHS embodies our mission of helping young people move from struggling to thriving.
Key Performance Responsibilities:
• Create a safe and supportive space by offering consistent, compassionate care and supervision that ensures patients’ emotional and physical well-being.
• Guide and encourage patients as they move through their day whether attending therapy, group activities, meals, or moments of transition.
• Lead or support experiential activities (e.g., mindfulness, recreation, group engagement) that promote healing and connection.
• Model calm, respectful behavior and healthy coping strategies in a way that builds trust and emotional safety.
• Document observations and interactions clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner to support treatment planning.
• Stay grounded and responsive during high-stress or emotionally charged situations, helping restore calm through established strategies.
• Collaborate with team members and communicate professionally to support a connected, unified care environment.
• Uphold ethical standards and confidentiality, maintaining patient dignity and respect in all interactions.
• Participate in ongoing training and development provided to grow clinical understanding and ability to provide trauma-informed, values-based care.
• Safely transport patients to and from program sites and external appointments (e.g., doctors, labs) following all safety standards and protocols.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What Makes You a Great Fit
• A patient-first mindset that inspires you to reach the highest standards in supporting the young people in your care
• Flexibility within a fast-paced, changing environment—schedules may include day, evening, overnight, weekend, or holiday shifts, and you may need to respond to urgent or unexpected conditions during your shift
• Ability to remain calm and composed, and to make good decisions using a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment
• The capacity to listen attentively and actively, with patience, empathy, and cultural sensitivity
• A collaborative team player who can find common ground, build trust with colleagues, and communicate effectively
• A problem-solver who digs deep and uses all the information available to craft skillful solutions
• Must be at least 21 years old, with a valid driver’s license
• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s in psychology, counseling, or sociology preferred

Compensation for this role ranges from $20-$24 per hour depending on education and experience.