School-Based Clinical Therapist

Description

Job Title: School-Based Clinical Therapist

FLSA Status: Full-Time/Salaried/Exempt

Reports To: Chief Information Officer

Location: Sumter County, SC (remote within Sumter County)

Position Summary

The School-Based Clinical Therapist provides mental and behavioral health services to students enrolled in Sumter School District on behalf of Growing Hope (formerly Growing Home Southeast). Services are primarily delivered in person on school campuses during the school year, with telehealth/virtual services offered during school holidays and designated breaks.

The therapist is responsible for screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and the provision of individual counseling and small-group interventions within the school setting. The role emphasizes collaboration with school counselors, teachers, administrators, and caregivers to support student well-being, safety, and academic success.

This position is ideal for a clinician who enjoys working in schools, is comfortable integrating into a multi-disciplinary educational team, and can balance clinical best practices with the realities of a busy school environment.

Why This Role Matters

Students in Sumter School District may experience trauma, stress, and behavioral health challenges that impact their learning, relationships, and overall well-being. Many families face barriers to accessing traditional outpatient mental health services.

By embedding a Clinical Therapist directly in the school setting, Growing Hope and Sumter School District work together to make high-quality, trauma-informed care accessible where students already are. The School-Based Clinical Therapist helps students build coping skills, strengthen resilience, and navigate challenges so they can feel safer, more supported, and more ready to learn.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct Student Services
• Provide individual counseling and, when appropriate, small-group interventions to students referred by school staff, caregivers, or other partners.
• Deliver services in person on school campuses during the school year, following school schedules, calendars, and safety protocols.
• During school holidays and designated breaks, provide virtual/telehealth services using a secure platform, when clinically appropriate and allowed by program guidelines.
• Build and maintain therapeutic relationships that promote safety, trust, and collaboration with students.
• Maintain a caseload and service volume that aligns with agency and school expectations, Medicaid standards, and licensure requirements.
• Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning
• Complete biopsychosocial assessments, diagnostic evaluations, and risk assessments in accordance with South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), Growing Hope, and school program requirements.
• Formulate and update diagnostic impressions as clinically indicated.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update treatment plans or Individual Plans of Care (IPOCs) in collaboration with students and, when appropriate, caregivers and school staff.
• Set measurable, student-centered goals that support emotional regulation, behavior, peer relationships, and academic engagement.
• Monitor progress toward goals and adjust interventions as needed.
• School-Based Crisis Response and Safety Planning
• Respond to student crises within the school setting by following established school and agency protocols.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop safety plans with students, designated school staff, and caregivers, as appropriate.
• Coordinate with school administrators, school counselors, crisis teams, and outside agencies when higher levels of care or safety interventions are required.
• Provide timely follow-up after crisis events and support the student’s transition back to regular school routines.
• Documentation, Compliance, and Billing Integrity
• Complete all clinical documentation including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries in accordance with Growing Hope, SCDHHS, managed care organizations, and other regulatory standards.
• Document services accurately, thoroughly, and within required timeframes to support billing integrity and quality of care.
• Maintain up-to-date records in the electronic health record and any school-required systems, including consents, releases, and coordination-of-care documentation.
• Participate in utilization management processes as needed, including providing clinical information to support authorizations and re-authorizations.
  
  

5. Collaboration and School Integration

• Collaborate with school counselors, teachers, administrators, school social workers, and other staff to identify students in need of support and to coordinate interventions.
• Participate in relevant team meetings (such as student support meetings, MTSS/RTI, or IEP/504 discussions when appropriate) to provide clinical insight that supports student success.
• Communicate with caregivers, with appropriate releases, to share progress, provide guidance, and coordinate care with other providers.
• Provide informal consultation to school staff around trauma-informed practices, classroom strategies, and behavioral support, within scope of role.
• Help strengthen pathways between school-based services and community resources when students require additional supports beyond the school setting.
• Professionalism, Ethics, and Continuous Learning
• Maintain active South Carolina licensure (provisional or independent) in good standing and adhere to all applicable professional, legal, and ethical standards.
• Participate in individual and group supervision and training as required by Growing Hope and licensure rules.
• Engage in ongoing professional development related to school-based mental health, trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and evidence-informed practices.
• Seek and incorporate feedback from students, school partners, supervisors, and caregivers to strengthen services.
• Support a school climate that reflects Growing Hope values, including respect, collaboration, transparency, and partnership with students and families.
• Other Duties
• Participate in school and agency initiatives related to mental health promotion, prevention activities, or staff trainings as requested.
• Perform other job-related duties that support the mission and success of Growing Hope and the partnership with Sumter School District.
  
  

Salary Description

$55,000 - $62,000 - commensurate with experience, licensure level, and qualifications.

Location and Work Environment

Growing Hope (formerly Growing Home Southeast) delivers services across South Carolina and surrounding areas. This Clinical Therapist position is hybrid, with a combination of remote telehealth work, on site services, and community or home-based sessions in the Sumter, SC area and nearby communities.

The work environment is mission driven and can be fast paced at times. Staff are supported through supervision, team collaboration, and ongoing training, with a focus on service quality and well-being.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Growing Hope (formerly Growing Home Southeast) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This position may involve periods of sitting at a computer, driving to client homes or community settings, and meeting with clients and families in a variety of environments. Occasional lifting of light materials such as laptops, files, or training materials may be required.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. The requirements listed are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will employment relationship.

Growing Hope (formerly Growing Home Southeast) is a drug free workplace and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or a closely related behavioral health field required.
• At least provisionally licensed in South Carolina to practice behavioral health (for example LPC-A, LISW-CP Candidate, LMFT-A, or equivalent). Independent licensure preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience providing clinical services to children or adolescents, preferably in a school, community-based, or outpatient setting.
• Experience with trauma-informed care or work with youth who have a history of complex trauma strongly preferred.
• Experience with Medicaid-funded services and related documentation standards preferred.
• Comfort working in school environments and collaborating with educational staff and systems.
• Competence with telehealth platforms, electronic health records, and basic computer applications.
  
  

Knowledge And Skills

• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and treatment planning skills for children and adolescents.
• Ability to provide individual counseling and group interventions tailored to a school-based setting.
• Skill in engaging students in developmentally appropriate, strengths-based, and culturally responsive ways.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with school staff and caregivers while maintaining appropriate clinical boundaries and confidentiality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain clinical concepts in clear, accessible language.
• Solid organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage a caseload, coordinate with multiple stakeholders, and meet documentation timelines.
• Commitment to cultural humility and responsiveness when working with students and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA, FERPA (as applicable), and other privacy requirements.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Must pass required background checks and maintain eligibility to work with children and youth in school settings.
• Reliable transportation for travel between school sites within Sumter School District and occasional meetings or trainings at other locations.
• Reliable internet connectivity and a private, professional space for telehealth services during school holidays or designated virtual periods.
• Flexibility to align work schedule with school hours and occasional after-school meetings or events.
• Commitment to Growing Hope’s mission, values, and to trauma-informed, student-centered, and culturally responsive practice.