Behavioral Health Specialist - Young Adult

About the Role

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, inpatient hospital settings, and 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.

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.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, counseling, or sociology preferred.
• Prior work experience in other behavioral treatment settings, a plus.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be eligible for insurance coverage for driving the company’s vehicles.
• Must be minimum 21 years of age.
• Must become CPI and CPR certified within the first 30 days.

Schedule

Schedules may include day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts in a fast-paced milieu. A BHS may need to respond to urgent or unique conditions during a scheduled shift.

Pay

Compensation for this role ranges from $18.00-$22.00 per hour depending on education and experience.