PER DIEM - School-Based Therapist

Socket.dev; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 90,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free CEUs

Small caseloads

Ongoing clinical support

Competitive pay

Job summary

Effective School Solutions in Milpitas is seeking a Per Diem Clinician to deliver school-based mental health services on a flexible, as-needed basis.

You will provide individual, group, and family therapy, conduct risk assessments, partner with families, and coordinate care with school staff, with hourly pay of $55–$65 and no benefits.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field.
• Active clinical license (e.g., LCSW, LPCC, LMFT) in CA.
• 2+ years of experience with children/adolescents with behavioral and emotional needs.
• Experience training educational professionals and families on student mental health.
• Experience working with schools and community-based services.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with students, families, and school staff.
• Proven ability to influence and motivate team members.
• Proficient in clinical documentation and EMR systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide school-based mental health services (individual, group, family therapy).
• Conduct intake, diagnostic, and clinical assessments.
• Partner with families and facilitate parent support programs.
• Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention.
• Develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans.
• Oversee day-to-day clinical operations of the program.
• Collaborate with school staff and families to deliver coordinated care.
• Attend meetings, supervision, and ongoing professional development.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field

Active CA clinical license (LCSW/LPCC/LMFT)

Tools

EMR

Microsoft Office

Job description

PER DIEM CLINICIAN - Milpitas area

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- providing a full continuum of clinical programming, professional development, and district consultation.

Position Type: Per Diem

Hourly Rate: $55.00-$65.00/hour

This is a per diem position and is not eligible for benefits. Per diem clinicians support ESS on an as-needed basis, including coverage for leave assignments (e.g., medical or maternity leave).

Clinicians in this role have flexibility in their level of commitment. They may choose to pick up occasional shifts, work a few days per week on an ongoing basis, or take on a temporary full-time schedule when covering a longer-term leave assignment. Per diem clinicians can accept or decline assignments based on their availability.

This role does not follow a consistent full-time schedule; however, full-time hours may be required on a temporary basis when covering extended leave assignments.

Why This Role Matters

You'll provide critical mental health support to students who may not otherwise have access to care- helping them succeed academically, build resilience, and thrive.

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

Direct Clinical Care & Family Support

• Provide comprehensive, school-based mental health services, including individual, group, and family therapy, as well as intake, diagnostic, and clinical assessments
• Partner with families and facilitate parent support programming
• Conduct risk assessments and crisis intervention, ensuring student safety and coordinating referrals to appropriate levels of care when needed
• Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans that support students’ emotional, behavioral, and academic success

Supervision, Training & Collaboration

• Oversee the day-to-day clinical operations of the assigned school-based program
• Serve as the primary clinical point of contact for school partners, providing expert guidance, ensuring alignment on student support strategies, and fostering strong, collaborative relationships.
• Facilitate weekly consultation sessions to ensure alignment on student goals and documentation standards
• Collaborate with families, school staff, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated care, and provide consultation, coaching, and training on 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
• 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
• Support clinician performance through feedback, coaching, and evaluations

Qualifications

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

Why Clinicians Choose ESS

• School-day schedule - No weekends; occasional evening hours as needed to support family engagement
• Light summers
• Small caseloads
• Ongoing clinical support, and free CEUs
• Competitive Pay
• Clinical leadership at the heart of our company

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

#LP