School-Based Clinical Therapist

Job Title

School-Based Clinical Therapist

Full-Time/Salaried/Exempt

Chief Information Officer

Sumter County, SC (remote within Sumter County)

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.

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.

• 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 time frames to support billing integrity and quality of care.
• Maintain up‑to‑date records in…