What are the responsibilities and job description for the Behavioral Health Specialist position at PrairieCare?
Responsibilities
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
Education, Experience, License Requirements:
Newport Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Newport Healthcare provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Newport Healthcare is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability. Applicants with a physical or mental disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please email careers@newporthealthcare.com for assistance.
About Us
Join Newport Healthcare: Transform Lives Through Meaningful Work!
Looking for a rewarding career in mental health? At Newport Healthcare, you’ll discover a fulfilling career path and be part of a collaborative team that’s changing lives for the better.
Our network of treatment programs includes residential and outpatient locations nationwide, as well as inpatient hospitalization and clinic services through our PrairieCare division in Minnesota. Every employee at Newport makes an impact in our clients’ healing journeys.
If you're looking to grow professionally in a supportive environment, we invite you to explore opportunities to join our dedicated team. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve!
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.
Education, Experience, License 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.
Newport Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Newport Healthcare provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Newport Healthcare is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability. Applicants with a physical or mental disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please email careers@newporthealthcare.com for assistance.
About Us
Join Newport Healthcare: Transform Lives Through Meaningful Work!
Looking for a rewarding career in mental health? At Newport Healthcare, you’ll discover a fulfilling career path and be part of a collaborative team that’s changing lives for the better.
Our network of treatment programs includes residential and outpatient locations nationwide, as well as inpatient hospitalization and clinic services through our PrairieCare division in Minnesota. Every employee at Newport makes an impact in our clients’ healing journeys.
If you're looking to grow professionally in a supportive environment, we invite you to explore opportunities to join our dedicated team. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve!