Behavioral Health Specialist II

Behavioral Health Specialist II (BHS II)

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager, Program Director, and Charge RN, the Behavioral Health Specialist II (BHS II) provides care, supervision, and safety for children and adolescents in an inpatient behavioral health setting. As part of the interdisciplinary treatment team, the BHS II helps maintain a structured, therapeutic milieu, implements treatment activities, and observes and documents patient progress under RN supervision.

All Brown University Health employees are expected to model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, while demonstrating the core success factors of:

• Instilling Trust and Valuing Differences
• Patient and Community Focus
• Collaboration and Teamwork

Key Responsibilities

In addition to all Behavioral Health Specialist I duties, the BHS II:

• Maintains the therapeutic milieu as delegated by the Charge RN and promptly reports concerns or changes.
• Provides advanced childcare and behavioral support within demonstrated areas of competency.
• Utilizes safe, effective crisis prevention and intervention techniques.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of trauma-informed care and interacts with patients and families with empathy, compassion, and respect.
• Organizes and leads therapeutic activities and assists in training and mentoring BHS I staff.
• Serves as a role model for less-experienced staff and provides guidance during patient activities.
• Assists with onboarding and orienting new BHS I staff under the direction of leadership.
• Communicates patient behavior changes, safety concerns, and milieu issues to the Charge RN.
• Addresses workplace concerns professionally and escalates issues appropriately.
• Takes initiative to improve patient care, programming, and the overall therapeutic environment.
• May be assigned specialized responsibilities based on unit needs.
• Demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge and sound judgment.

Employees may occasionally be asked to perform comparable duties in other clinical areas within the hospital system based on operational needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services-related field preferred.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted at the discretion of the Hiring Manager.
• Must demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn role-specific skills.

Experience

• Six months to one year of direct childcare experience with similar patient populations.

Certifications

• Current Bradley Hospital Safety Care Certification.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to provide age-appropriate care while considering developmental, cultural, and behavioral needs.
• Strong communication, observation, and crisis-management skills.
• Ability to remain calm, make quick decisions, and prioritize patient safety during emergencies.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, patient-centered care.

Physical Requirements

This role requires working with psychiatrically impaired, suicidal, aggressive, and occasionally self-injurious patients. Employees must be able to:

• Build therapeutic rapport and use de-escalation techniques.
• Participate in approved physical interventions when necessary to maintain safety.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Bend, squat, kneel, reach, grasp, and physically escort patients.
• Stand for extended periods and occasionally run short distances.
• Safely manage physically demanding situations involving resistant or struggling patients.

Independence & Supervision

• Works independently within established program policies and procedures.
• Refers complex issues or policy-related questions to the Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) or Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM).
• No supervisory responsibilities.