School-Based Lead Clinician – Substance Use Program (LCSW/LPC/LMFT)

SCHOOL-BASED LEAD CLINICIAN – SUBSTANCE USE PROGRAM (LCSW/LPC/LMFT)
Cherry Hill High School East & West | Cherry Hill, NJ

Transforming student mental health in schools.

About Effective School Solutions
Effective School Solutions (ESS) is a leading provider of school-based mental health services, serving 6,000+ K–12 students across 12 states.

We deliver the level of clinical care typically found in private practice, out-of-district placements, or higher levels of care directly within public schools. We provide a full continuum of clinical programming, professional development, and district consultation.

Why This Role Matters
As a Lead Clinician, you’ll run ESS’s substance use program at Cherry Hill High School East and Cherry Hill High School West. You’ll give teens struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health needs critical support they may not otherwise get, helping them stay in school, build healthier coping skills, and thrive.

At ESS, clinicians are trusted partners in shaping supportive school environments.

Starting salary range: $65,000-$75,000

Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Care & Family Support

• Provide comprehensive, school-based treatment for adolescents with substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns, including individual, group, and family therapy
• Conduct substance use screenings, intakes, and diagnostic and clinical assessments
• Use evidence-based approaches for adolescent substance use, such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and relapse prevention
• Partner with families and facilitate parent support and psychoeducation programming
• Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention, ensure student safety, and coordinate referrals to higher levels of care (e.g., IOP, PHP, residential) when needed
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans that support students’ recovery, emotional and behavioral health, and academic success

Program Leadership, Consultation & Collaboration

• Oversee the day-to-day clinical operations of the substance use program across both high schools
• Serve as the primary clinical point of contact for school partners at Cherry Hill East and West
• Collaborate with families, school staff, and community providers to deliver coordinated care
• Provide consultation, coaching, and training for school staff on adolescent substance use, mental health, and trauma-informed practices
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing professional development

Documentation, Compliance & Professional Expectations

• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory, ethical, and organizational standards, including confidentiality requirements for substance use treatment
• Uphold professional standards by maintaining active licensure, ethical practice, reliability, and a strong professional presence
• Monitor program performance and ensure alignment with ESS clinical and operational standards

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field
• Active New Jersey independent clinical license (LCSW, LPC, or LMFT)
• LCADC strongly preferred
• Significant clinical experience treating adolescents with substance use disorders, including co-occurring mental health conditions (required)
• 3+ years of experience working with children and/or adolescents with behavioral and emotional needs
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound clinical judgment, and solve problems in a fast-paced environment
• Experience working with schools, families, and community-based services (school-based experience preferred)
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in clinical documentation and electronic systems (e.g., EMR, Microsoft Office)

Why Clinicians Choose ESS
School-day schedule: no weekends or on-call requirements; occasional evening hours as needed to support family engagement
Light summers: 10 hours/week for 5 weeks with full-time pay
Small caseloads
Ongoing supervision, clinical support, and free CEUs
Competitive salary + comprehensive benefits
Clinical leadership at the heart of our company

Make a meaningful impact on student mental health.
Join Effective School Solutions

ESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

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