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Stepping Stones Therapy
Newport Beach, California

Lead Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

Speech-Language PathologistFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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Job Description

Lead Speech-Language Pathologist (Lead SLP)

Position Summary

The Lead Speech-Language Pathologist (Lead SLP) provides clinical leadership, mentorship, and operational support to the Speech-Language Pathology Department while maintaining an active pediatric caseload.

This position combines direct patient care with leadership responsibilities, including staff development, clinical quality assurance, departmental coordination, and productivity management.

The Lead SLP works closely with the Clinical Director and management team to promote high-quality services, operational efficiency, and a positive, collaborative work environment.

Key Responsibilities

  • 1. Clinical Leadership and Mentorship
  • Provide clinical guidance and mentorship to SLPs and SLPAs.
  • Support onboarding and training of new clinical staff.
  • Assist with clinical problem-solving, treatment planning, and complex cases.
  • Provide supervision as assigned and in accordance with California licensing requirements.
  • Promote evidence-based practices and high standards of clinical care.
  • 2. Department Leadership
  • Lead and facilitate regular Speech-Language Pathology department meetings.
  • Develop meeting agendas, communicate updates, and follow up on action items.
  • Encourage collaboration, professional accountability, and effective communication.
  • Identify departmental needs and recommend improvements to the Clinical Director.
  • Support staff development and participate in performance evaluations.
  • 3. Clinical Productivity and Caseload Management
  • Maintain a minimum target of 25 direct treatment hours per week during a full workweek.
  • Balance clinical responsibilities with designated leadership and administrative duties.
  • Collaborate with scheduling staff to minimize cancellations and scheduling gaps.
  • Support timely completion of evaluations, progress reports, and clinical documentation.
  • Promote efficient scheduling and continuity of patient care.
  • 4. Quality Assurance and Compliance
  • Support accurate, timely, and professional clinical documentation.
  • Review reports and treatment plans as assigned.
  • Promote compliance with ASHA standards, California licensing requirements, and organizational policies.
  • Address clinical concerns and communicate significant issues to the Clinical Director.
  • 5. Operational and Organizational Leadership
  • Participate in leadership meetings and professional development activities.
  • Support departmental productivity, patient retention, and operational efficiency.
  • Demonstrate initiative, accountability, and effective problem-solving.
  • Collaborate with office management and other clinical disciplines.
  • Develop measurable departmental goals aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Performance Expectations

The Lead SLP Is Expected To

  • Maintain 25 direct clinical treatment hours per week during a full workweek.
  • Lead department meetings and provide consistent staff mentorship.
  • Ensure timely completion of assigned clinical and administrative responsibilities.
  • Demonstrate strong communication, organization, and leadership skills.
  • Support departmental productivity, clinical quality, and patient satisfaction.
  • Participate actively in leadership development and organizational initiatives.

Bonus and Advancement Opportunities

Stepping Stones Therapy, Inc. recognizes and rewards strong clinical performance, leadership, and professional growth.

Productivity Bonuses: Opportunity to earn additional compensation through the established productivity incentive program, based on applicable targets and eligibility requirements.

Leadership Development: Access to leadership training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

Career Advancement: Opportunities for expanded leadership responsibilities and advancement within the organization as it continues to grow.

Performance Recognition: Opportunities for increased responsibilities and compensation consideration based on individual performance, leadership contributions, and organizational needs.

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
  • Active California Speech-Language Pathologist license.
  • ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP).
  • Minimum of three years of clinical experience preferred.
  • Pediatric clinical experience required.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to balance clinical care with departmental leadership responsibilities.

Position Expectations

The Lead SLP is a full-time clinical leadership position with a weekly target of 25 direct treatment hours. Remaining scheduled hours are allocated to leadership, mentorship, meetings, documentation, and administrative responsibilities as determined by the Clinical Director.

Responsibilities may evolve based on departmental needs and the continued growth of Stepping Stones Therapy, Inc.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Pediatric therapyEvidence-based practiceOrganizational skills

Speech-Language Pathologist Career Context

Of the 50 active Speech-Language Pathology listings this role was benchmarked against, 8% are remote, 46% have no call, 50% require no weekends.

Speech-Language Pathology pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Speech Language Pathologist Jobs

47 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution39 jobs · 34 employers

10
<$100k
7
$100k-120k
8
$120k-140k
11
$140k-160k
3
$160k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks40 jobs · 34 employers

401k / retirement match
88%
CME allowance
53%
Sign-on bonus
13% this job
Loan repayment
10%
Relocation assistance
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Speech Language PathologistContract

Thera Peds · Northglenn, Colorado

$65-$85/hr
#2

Speech Language Pathologist

Providence · Santa Rosa, California

$55.68-$83.79/hr
#3

Speech Language Pathologist

$65-$80/hr
#4

Speech Therapist, SLP, Fl

$65-$75/hr
+ 45 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 1.5
Better work-life than 10% of Speech Language Pathology listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 6,842 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Newport Beach

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$3.13M
Typical market rent
$4,375/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Stepping Stones Therapy logo

About Stepping Stones Therapy

NEWPORT BEACH, California
11-50 employees

Benefits & Perks

Productivity Bonuses
Leadership Development
Career Advancement
Performance Recognition