Behavioral Health Specialist 1

Behavioral Health Specialist I — Summary Overview

Role Purpose
The Behavioral Health Specialist I (BHS I) provides direct care, supervision, and therapeutic support to children and adolescents in an inpatient or partial-hospitalization psychiatric setting. Working under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager, Program Director, and Charge RN, the BHS I helps maintain a safe, structured, and developmentally appropriate therapeutic milieu while supporting the interdisciplinary treatment team.

Core Values & Success Factors
Employees are expected to model organizational values—Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence—and demonstrate key success factors including Instilling Trust, Valuing Differences, Patient & Community Focus, and Collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

A. Milieu Management & Safety

• Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment and actively engage with assigned children throughout the shift.
• Implement and document patient observation levels as ordered.
• Assist with activities of daily living, hygiene, and routine supervision.
• Provide support and information to parents/guardians as directed by the treatment team.
• Identify and report safety concerns; complete incident reports and documentation.
• Participate in crisis intervention, restraint debriefings, and follow-up procedures.
• Intervene therapeutically during disruptive or unsafe behaviors while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

B. Compliance & Professional Standards

• Adhere to all hospital, departmental, and program policies.
• Maintain required certifications: crisis management, CPR, OSHA, ERS, Safety.
• Attend staff meetings, peer reviews, and required trainings.

C. Patient Care Planning & Documentation

• Support the therapeutic alliance with patients and families during admission and throughout treatment.
• Document objective observations each shift and communicate them to the RN.
• Review and contribute to milieu care plans daily.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, rounds, and handoff reports.
• Accurately document significant observations in the medical record and Kardex.
• Share knowledge with peers and adapt care approaches to individual developmental needs.

D. Therapeutic Programming & Behavioral Support

• Assist patients with ADLs and personal hygiene based on developmental ability.
• Co-lead community meetings, social skills groups, recreation groups, and other program-specific activities.
• Implement behavioral management plans and set consistent therapeutic limits.
• Organize and supervise unit activities, including physical and social development tasks.
• Participate in family teaching visits and parent training as assigned.
• Model appropriate interpersonal interactions for patients and families.
• Support recreation therapy and manage crises using least-restrictive interventions.

Flexibility

• May be assigned to comparable duties in other clinical programs within the hospital as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field preferred.
• Equivalent education/experience may be considered.

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to care for patients across developmental stages and cultural backgrounds.
• Willingness and aptitude to learn role-specific skills.
• Ability to remain calm and make rational decisions during crises.
• Competence in de-escalation techniques and safe physical intervention.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, run short distances, stand/walk frequently.
• Ability to block/deflect aggression and physically hold struggling patients using approved methods.
• Ability to bend, squat, kneel, grasp, and escort combative patients safely.

Experience

• 6–12 months of direct childcare experience with emotionally impaired youth.

Independence & Supervision

• Works independently within program guidelines.
• No supervisory responsibilities.

Pay Range:
$18.13-$29.90

Location:
Bradley Hospital - 1011 Veterans Memorial Pkwy East Providence, Rhode Island 02915

Work Type:
4 shifts/month, 2 are weekend shifts

Work Shift:
Variable

Daily Hours:
8 hours

Driving Required:
No

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.