Behavioral Health Intern

Behavioral Health Intern (BHI) — Role Summary

The Behavioral Health Intern supports the care, safety, and therapeutic engagement of children and adolescents in inpatient, partial, or residential psychiatric programs. Working under the direction of a Clinical Manager, Registered Nurse, or Program Supervisor, the BHI contributes to a structured therapeutic milieu, participates in treatment planning, and provides direct support to patients and families. The role requires consistent modeling of organizational values—Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence—and demonstration of core success factors such as trust-building, collaboration, and valuing differences.

Intern Candidates MUST be able to commit to 1 year as an intern- you must be in the state of RI or able to reliably commute to RI for the duration of that year. This includes school breaks AND summer break.

Key Responsibilities

1. Maintain a Safe & Therapeutic Environment

• Engage actively with children throughout the shift.

• Implement and document patient observation levels as ordered.

• Assist with daily routines, ADLs, and hygiene needs.

• Intervene in disruptive or unsafe situations using therapeutic, least‑restrictive interventions.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

• Report and document incidents, participate in debriefings, and communicate concerns promptly.

2. Adhere to Policies & Procedures

• Follow all hospital, departmental, and program guidelines.

• Carry out assigned duties and report back before shift changes.

3. Participate in Patient Care Planning

• Support therapeutic alliance with patients and families during admission and throughout care.

• Document objective observations in shift notes and medical records.

• Review and contribute to milieu care plans and problem lists.

• Communicate patient needs and observations to interdisciplinary team members.

• Participate in rounds, treatment team meetings, and handoff reports.

4. Support Behavioral & Therapeutic Programming

• Teach and assist with ADLs and personal hygiene.

• Co-lead community meetings, social skills groups, and recreational or activity-based groups.

• Implement behavioral programs and therapeutic limits consistently.

• Organize and participate in unit activities and developmental programming.

• Participate in family teaching visits and parent training.

• Model therapeutic interpersonal interactions.

• Assist clinicians in co-leading therapy groups.

• Respond to crises using de-escalation and approved physical management techniques when necessary.

5. Professional Development

• Seek supervision proactively and integrate feedback.

• Share knowledge with peers through informal or formal learning opportunities.

• Adapt care to meet developmental and cultural needs of diverse children and adolescents.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA).

• Enrollment in a BA/BS program in human services, psychology, or social sciences (preferred); AD candidates may be considered.

• Understanding of lifespan development, cultural considerations, and psychiatric care needs.

• Ability to remain calm and make quick, rational decisions during crises.

• Physical capability to assist with patient management (lifting, blocking, escorting, occasional running).

Work Environment

• Psychiatric setting with exposure to aggressive or self-injurious behaviors.

• Requires use of de-escalation techniques and, when necessary, approved physical interventions.

• May be assigned to comparable duties in other clinical programs as needed.

Supervision & Independence

• Works under supervision of RN or Program Supervisor.

• Expected to handle routine responsibilities independently but refer complex issues to supervisors.