Behavioral Health Specialist

Newport Healthcare; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Newport Healthcare seeks a Mental Health Technician/Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) to support adolescent and young adult patients across residential, inpatient, and outpatient settings. You will help create a safe, structured environment and assist with therapy activities, treatment planning, and compassionate care.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, a preferred bachelor’s in psychology or related field, and CPI/CPR training within 30 days.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or sociology preferred.
• CPI and CPR certification within first 30 days.
• Valid driver’s license and insurability to drive company vehicles.
• Must be age 21 or older.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate, structured care to adolescent and young adult patients.
• Supervise daily activities and support treatment sessions across care levels.
• Lead or support experiential activities promoting healing and connection.
• Document observations accurately to support treatment planning.
• Maintain patient safety and respond to high-stress situations.
• Transport patients to appointments following safety protocols.
• Participate in ongoing training to deliver trauma-informed care.
• Collaborate with team and uphold confidentiality.

Skills

Compassionate care

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Patient safety

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, counseling, or sociology

Job description

Position Summary

The Mental Health Technician/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.

What You’ll Do

The Mental Health Technician/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.

What Makes You a Great Fit

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.

Compensation for this role ranges from $21.50-$25.50 per hour depending on education and experience.