Behavioral Health Specialist

Newport Healthcare; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Newport Healthcare's Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) role places you on the front line of care for adolescents and young adults in our behavioral health programs. You will help create a safe, structured, and compassionate environment where patients feel supported, seen, and empowered throughout their healing journey.

In this hands-on role, you’ll supervise daily activities, support therapy and group sessions, model healthy coping strategies, and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to

Qualifications

• Patient-first mindset to support youth and families.
• Flexibility for day/evening/overnight shifts including holidays.
• Calm, composed decision making under pressure.
• Respectful, culturally sensitive communication with diverse individuals.

Responsibilities

• Creating a safe and supportive space with compassionate care and supervision.
• Guiding patients through daily schedules including therapy, meals, and transitions.
• Leading or supporting mindfulness, recreation, and group activities promoting healing.
• Modeling calm behavior and healthy coping strategies for emotional safety.
• Staying grounded and responsive during high-stress situations to restore calm.
• Collaborating with team members to maintain a connected care environment.

Skills

Patience

Communication

Team collaboration

Crisis management

Cultural sensitivity

Active listening

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s in psychology, counseling, or sociology preferred

Job description

What You’ll Do

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, you’ll create a safe, structured, and compassionate environment where patients feel supported, seen, and empowered throughout their healing journey.

Responsibilities

This role isn’t just important; it’s foundational. BHS team members are the heart of our care model, offering meaningful connection and stability that make a lasting difference in young people’s lives. Key responsibilities include:

• Creating a safe and supportive space by offering consistent, compassionate care and supervision that ensures patients’ emotional and physical well-being
• Guiding and encouraging patients as they move through their daily schedule—including therapy, group activities, meals, and moments of transition in between
• Leading or supporting experiential activities (such as mindfulness practices, recreation, and group experiences) that promote healing and connection
• Modeling calm, respectful behavior and healthy coping strategies in a way that builds trust and emotional safety
• Staying grounded and responsive during high-stress or emotionally charged situations, helping restore calm through established strategies
• Collaborating and communicating with team members to support a connected, unified care environment

What Makes You a Great Fit

• A patient-first mindset that inspires you to reach the highest standards in supporting the young people in your care
• Flexibility within a fast-paced, changing environment—schedules may include day, evening, overnight, weekend, or holiday shifts, and you may need to respond to urgent or unexpected conditions during your shift
• Ability to remain calm and composed, and to make good decisions using a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment
• The capacity to listen attentively and actively, with patience, empathy, and cultural sensitivity
• A collaborative team player who can find common ground, build trust with colleagues, and communicate effectively
• A problem-solver who digs deep and uses all the information available to craft skillful solutions
• Must be at least 21 years old, with a valid driver’s license
• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s in psychology, counseling, or sociology preferred

Compensation for this role ranges from $18.00-$22.00 per hour depending on education and experience.