Clinical Manager

Clinical Manager Compensation: $65,000 - $75,000 | Full-Time | Benefits Eligible About The Stepping Stones Group At The Stepping Stones Group, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality mental health support - and that every clinician deserves a workplace that values their expertise, fuels their growth, and trusts them to lead. We are a nationally recognized provider of school-based therapeutic and clinical services, partnering with school districts and educational agencies across the country to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for students and families. Why Join The Stepping Stones Group? Competitive Compensation: Earn between $65,000 and $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience and licensure, with opportunities for growth as you make your mark. A Mission That Matters: Every day, you will lead clinicians who are changing the trajectory of young lives. Our school-based model puts mental health support where students need it most. Clinical Autonomy and Support: We trust our Clinical Managers to lead with expertise. You will have the tools, infrastructure, and organizational backing to do your best work without unnecessary barriers. Professional Development: We invest in your growth - from licensure supervision support to ongoing training, we are committed to your long-term success as a clinician and leader. Collaborative Culture: Join a team of professionals who are passionate about their work, committed to each other, and grounded in a shared belief that children's mental health is a priority worth fighting for. Work-Life Integration: A structured role with defined responsibilities and leadership support, so you can lead effectively without burning out. Position Overview The Clinical Manager serves as the primary clinical and operational leader for a team of Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) delivering school-based behavioral health services across assigned North Carolina districts. This role carries meaningful responsibility: you will ensure the clinical quality, documentation integrity, and professional development of your team while maintaining compliance with Medicaid standards, agency protocols, and program expectations. This is not a passive oversight role. It is a hands‑on, relationship‑centered leadership position for a clinician who thrives on mentoring others, solving complex clinical challenges, and building systems that drive better outcomes for students and families. Key Responsibilities Clinical Oversight and Documentation Compliance Review and approve all Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) requests, including Diagnostic Assessments (DAs), Individualized Plans of Care (IPOCs), and 90‑day reviews, within a 24‑hour turnaround. Provide meaningful, actionable feedback on clinician documentation and conduct timely re‑review of corrections. Review and co‑sign clinical service notes in accordance with agency standards and Medicaid requirements. Conduct regular caseload audits to ensure documentation completeness, clinical accuracy, and regulatory compliance. Uphold all Medicaid requirements and program standards, ensuring the team remains audit‑ready at all times. Provide direct clinical services — including DAs, IPOCs, and LPHA tasks — as operationally needed. Clinical Supervision and Staff Development Facilitate consistent 1:1 supervision meetings with MHPs on a weekly or monthly basis depending on licensure status and clinical need. Provide licensure supervision in accordance with North Carolina board requirements and conduct six‑month performance reviews. Coach and guide MHPs in caseload development, treatment planning, and clinical best practices. Identify clinicians who need additional support and proactively implement tailored development plans. Team Support and Responsiveness Serve as the primary point of contact for all MHP needs, responding to inquiries within 24 hours. Provide crisis support, real‑time clinical guidance, and technical assistance to ensure clinicians feel supported in the field. Cultivate a team culture of psychological safety, professional accountability, and continuous learning. Training, Onboarding, and Workforce Development Facilitate comprehensive new hire training to ensure clinicians are prepared to deliver high‑quality, compliant services from day one. Deliver assigned trainings and contribute to the ongoing professional development programming of the team. Operations and Administrative Management Participate actively in required meetings, including supervision sessions, audit reviews, onboarding calls, and program updates. Monitor referral trackers, follow up on outstanding items, and support caseload growth for the team. Manage incident reports and complete payroll adjustment forms in a timely and accurate manner. Monitor late notes following payroll cycles and address documentation gaps with appropriate follow‑up. School and Stakeholder Collaboration Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with school district personnel, Agency Educators (AEs), and referral specialists. Support the development and delivery of Professional Development (PD) sessions for school‑based partners. Travel to assigned schools a minimum of once per semester to maintain visibility, strengthen partnerships, and support clinicians in the field. Risk Management, Safety, and Recruitment Complete Environmental Risk Assessments and ensure appropriate safety protocols are in place for students and staff. Review and manage incident reports with a proactive approach to risk mitigation. Conduct clinical interviews (CIs) for prospective hires and submit required documentation to the recruiter and State Director. Qualifications And Licensure Requirements Pathway 1: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Active, full LCSW licensure in the State of North Carolina (associate/provisional licensure does not qualify). Minimum of two (2) years of post‑associate licensure clinical experience. Demonstrated ability to provide clinical supervision to associate‑level clinicians. Pathway 2: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with Supervisor Designation (LCMHC‑S) Active LCMHC license in North Carolina with the LCMHC‑S (Supervisor) designation (the LCMHC‑S is a supervisor designation added to an active LCMHC license, not a separate license). Minimum of five (5) years of post‑graduate counseling experience, including at least two (2) years of post‑full licensure experience. Completion of 45 hours of continuing education (CE) in clinical supervision, OR completion of a minimum of three (3) semester graduate credit hours in clinical supervision. Successful passage of the North Carolina Jurisprudence Examination. Satisfactory criminal background check. Employment verification since the date of initial licensure, demonstrating qualifying counseling experience (professional references from employers or supervisors who can attest to the nature and scope of work performed). Professional references attesting to clinical competence and supervisory readiness. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience in a school‑based mental health or educational services setting. Demonstrated experience in clinical leadership, staff supervision, or program management. Familiarity with Medicaid‑funded behavioral health services and documentation standards. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust across diverse teams and stakeholder groups. Comfort navigating a fast‑paced, multi‑site service delivery model. Professional Accountability and Licensure Maintenance All Clinical Managers at The Stepping Stones Group are expected to maintain active licensure in good standing throughout employment, including timely completion of all continuing education requirements, license renewals, and any conditions set forth by the North Carolina licensing board. We support your professional obligations and celebrate your milestones. Join Us in Building Brighter Futures At The Stepping Stones Group, leadership is not a title — it is a calling. Our Clinical Managers are the standard‑bearers for clinical excellence, the mentors who inspire the next generation of mental health professionals, and the advocates who ensure every child in our programs receives the support they deserve. The Stepping Stones Group is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. #J-18808-Ljbffr