Behavioral Health Specialist II

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Manager/Program Director and Unit Charge RN, the Behavioral Health Specialist II (BHS II) provides care and ensures safety for children and adolescents as part of the interdisciplinary treatment team. The BHS II helps shape the daily therapeutic milieu and implements, observes, and documents milieu programming under RN supervision.

Brown University Health employees are expected to model the organization’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, as well as the core Success Factors: Instill Trust, Value Differences, Patient & Community Focus, and Collaboration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Maintains the therapeutic milieu as delegated by the Charge RN and reports any concerns immediately.

• Functions independently in areas of demonstrated competence and provides advanced childcare support.

• Uses safe and effective crisis‑management techniques consistently.

• Suggests improvements to enhance milieu quality.

• Demonstrates strong understanding of trauma and maintains an empathetic, nonjudgmental approach with patients and families.

• Takes initiative in organizing therapeutic activities and supports BHS I staff in learning these skills.

• Provides guidance and role‑modeling to less‑senior staff.

• Orients new BHS I staff thoroughly under CNM direction.

• Reports peer concerns promptly to Charge RN or ANM/CNM.

• Communicates assertively and respectfully regarding issues or conflicts.

• May be assigned specialized responsibilities by Charge RN, CNM, or Nursing Director.

• Provides daily updates to Charge RN on patient behavior and milieu issues.

• Demonstrates enhanced clinical expertise.

• May be asked to perform comparable duties in other clinical settings as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field preferred.

• Equivalent education/experience may be considered.

• Must demonstrate willingness and aptitude to learn required skills.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to provide developmentally and culturally appropriate care across the lifespan.

• Safety Care Certification required. Must be able to remain calm in crisis, use de‑escalation techniques, and participate in physical management of patients when necessary.

• Physical requirements include: lifting up to 50 lbs, reaching, grasping, bending, kneeling, escorting patients, occasional short‑distance running, and frequent standing.

Experience:

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

• Current Safety Care and BLS certifications required.

Independent Action:

• Works independently within program policies; refers complex issues to ANM/CNM.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Pay Range:

$19.97-$32.96

EEO Statement:

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

Location:

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

Work Type:

M 7:30am-4pm, Tu-Fri 7:45am-3:15pm

Work Shift:

Day

Daily Hours: 

8 hours

Driving Required:

No