PER DIEM- Licensed School-Based Mental Health Clinician

Effective School Solutions•Newark, NJ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Effective School Solutions (ESS) provides school-based mental health services to K–12 students across 12 states, bringing clinical care and programming directly into public schools. The per diem clinician provides mental health support to students and families and may accept occasional shifts, a few days per week on an ongoing basis, or temporary full-time work covering an extended leave assignment. Clinicians may accept or decline assignments based on their availability. The role does not have a consistent full-time schedule and is not eligible for benefits. The clinician delivers individual, group, and family therapy; conducts intakes, diagnostic and clinical assessments, risk assessments, and crisis intervention; and develops evidence-based treatment plans. The role also involves supporting families, collaborating with school partners and interdisciplinary teams, maintaining clinical documentation, and contributing to program operations and clinician development. ESS describes the work as school-day based, with no weekends and occasional evening hours as needed for family engagement, as well as light summers and small caseloads.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field.
Active clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT) in the state where services are provided.
At least 4 years of experience working with children and/or adolescents with behavioral and emotional needs.
Experience providing training and coaching to educational professionals and parents or caregivers on student mental health issues.
Experience working with schools, families, and community-based services.
Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with students, families, and school staff.
Commitment to high-quality, evidence-based care and advocating for best practices.
Ability to positively influence, motivate, and elevate team members and stakeholders.
Ability to make confident, sound decisions in ambiguous or evolving situations.
Proficiency in clinical documentation and electronic systems (e.g., EMR and Microsoft Office), with the ability to maintain accurate and timely records.

Nice To Haves

School-based experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide individual, group, and family therapy, along with intake, diagnostic, and clinical assessments.
Partner with families and facilitate parent support programming.
Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention, ensure student safety, and coordinate referrals to appropriate levels of care when needed.
Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans supporting students’ emotional, behavioral, and academic success.
Oversee the day-to-day clinical operations of the assigned school-based program.
Serve as the primary clinical contact for school partners, providing guidance, aligning student support strategies, and fostering collaborative relationships.
Facilitate weekly consultation sessions to align on student goals and documentation standards.
Collaborate with families, school staff, and interdisciplinary teams to provide coordinated care; offer consultation, coaching, and training on mental health and trauma-informed practices.
Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing professional development.
Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory, ethical, and organizational standards.
Maintain active licensure and uphold ethical practice, reliability, and professional standards.
Monitor program performance and ensure alignment with ESS clinical and operational standards.
Support clinician performance through feedback, coaching, and evaluations.