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Intake Counselor Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Counselor

Hudson, WI · On-site

$23 - $31/hr

Complete all aspects of the intake assessment process. Required Qualifications: * Minimum of Associate's degree required in Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) specific program. * Eligibility for WI ...

Counselor

Hudson, WI

$23 - $31/hr

Complete all aspects of the intake assessment process. Required Qualifications: * Minimum of Associate's degree required in Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) specific program. * Eligibility for WI ...

Counselor

Hudson, WI · On-site

$26.27 - $39.41/hr

Complete all aspects of the intake assessment process. Required Qualifications: * Minimum of Associate's degree required in Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) specific program. * Eligibility for WI ...

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Intake Counselor information

See Wisconsin salary details

$13

$22

$32

How much do intake counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for intake counselor in Wisconsin is $22.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.45 and $25.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an intake counselor?

An intake counselor is responsible for taking information from a patient before they are admitted to see a physician for treatment. They work as a coordinator to ensure the orderly flow of patients into a medical facility. The main purpose of their job is to accurately identify the patients and gather enough information to determine an initial assessment of the patient's condition. The information is then used to make sure the patient is set up with the right medical staff to get them the care they need. Other duties include filing and securing paperwork as well as making sure it is filled out legibly. For a career as an intake counselor, qualifications include a bachelor’s degree, some volunteer experience, and strong interpersonal skills.

What does an intake counselor do?

An Intake Counselor is a mental health professional who conducts initial assessments with clients seeking counseling or other social services. Their main role is to gather information about the client’s needs, history, and current situation to determine the most appropriate support or treatment plan. Intake Counselors often serve as the first point of contact, helping clients understand available services and making referrals to therapists, support groups, or community resources as needed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an intake counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Intake Counselor, you need a background in psychology, social work, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with case management software, electronic health records, and standardized assessment tools is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, active listening, and cultural sensitivity help Intake Counselors build rapport and accurately assess client needs. These competencies are crucial for accurately evaluating clients, ensuring appropriate service referrals, and supporting positive client outcomes.

What are the typical challenges an intake counselor faces when assessing new clients?

Intake Counselors often encounter challenges such as gathering accurate information from clients who may be in distress or hesitant to share personal details. Balancing empathy with the need for thorough assessment and documentation is essential. Additionally, Intake Counselors must quickly identify urgent needs and coordinate with various departments to ensure clients receive timely and appropriate care. Managing a high volume of intakes while maintaining quality and confidentiality can also be demanding.
Infographic showing various Intake Counselor job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,159 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Emergency Department Intake Counselor-Weekend Program

Advocate Aurora Health

Hartford, WI • On-site

$33.05 - $49.60/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Advocate Aurora Health rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 781 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

189th of 895 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Department:

36647 Aurora Psychiatric Hospital - ED Intake Counselors

Status:

Part time

Benefits Eligible:

Yes

Hours Per Week:

24

Schedule Details/Additional Information:

Every Weekend (Sat and Sun) 0700-1930 at WAM

Pay Range:

$33.05 - $49.60

Major Responsibilities:

  • Conducts initial intake assessments for the determination of Behavioral Health patient level of care placement in collaboration with emergency departments, psychiatry, and acute care units. Collaborates with psychiatry to recommend appropriate level of care to attending physicians and community based referral sources.
  • Assists with crisis intervention and intervenes in emergencies utilizing proper procedures, therapeutic counseling and de-escalation skills. Maintains patient safety by collaborating with loss prevention, hospital physicians, and caregivers. Provides collaboration with local police departments and rescue services. Contributes to the development of emergency department communication information when appropriate. Secures appropriate Releases of Information and facilitates collaboration with community agencies and providers to promote continuity of care.
  • Triages requests for services by phone, in person, or through telepsychiatry. Answer incoming calls regarding admissions, referrals, community resources or general information related to clinical programming and ABHS inpatient or outpatient services. Schedules, transfers and refers patients for clinical assessment as needed or requested. Refers to resources available throughout ABHS or community-based resources.
  • Verifies patient's insurance to ensure accurate benefits and appropriate referral to providers for services. Completes pre-authorization requirements and documents authorizations received in the electronic medical record. Records name of authorizing person at the insurance company, date and time. Explains and assists the patient in understanding their insurance benefits when information is available. Collaborates with Case Management to ensure authorizations are complete and accurate.
  • Documents in the electronic medical records, obtaining detailed and thorough information. Completes accurate and timely assessments of patients as reflected in documentation, with particular emphasis on patient safety and risk factors. Documentation responsibilities include assessment, crisis treatment plans, and discharge recommendations. Identifies discharge planning by documenting aftercare needs. Accurately completes all documentation responsibilities as outlined in department/service area procedures within established time lines. Communicates needs to case management / social work caregivers through phone contact, electronically and in chart documentation while adhering to department protocols/policies.
  • Provides consultation/assessment services to acute care units, or other areas as assigned, providing consultation on complex patient needs and safety issues upon request. Assesses urgent care needs of patients, provide crisis counseling, individual assessments, and obtain appropriate authorizations. Acts as a liaison to referral sources, therapists, physicians, other caregivers, or the community and informs them of the services recommended to their patients.
  • Assists in providing support to all the intake staff throughout the system for triage and assessment functions, through on-site, telephonic, or telepsychiatry service. Provides assistance in distributing and informing staff about changes in policies, procedures, processes and implementation of new programs, procedures and policies. Informs manager of operational issues, problems and concerns in the department and hospital settings in a timely manner.
  • Assists in orientation of new staff. Responsible for maintaining intake statistics, maintenance of current community resource information and monitors service activities.
  • Provides clinical therapeutic services to diverse populations. Accepts for assessment and treats all patients willingly and with professionalism.
  • Documents requests for psychiatric consultation service, notifies consultants and verifies completion of consultations on appropriate forms and electronically.
  • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.


Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

  • None Required.


Education Required:

  • Master's Degree in Social Work, or
  • Master's Degree in Psychology, Clinical, or
  • Master's Degree in Psychology, Educational, or
  • Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling or related field.


Experience Required:

  • Typically requires 2 years of experience in providing therapy and/or assessments in behavioral health.


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

  • Requires previous experience in the clinical assessment of psychiatric and chemical dependency disorders of all age populations.
  • Demonstrates awareness in working with insurance companies and managed care review agencies.
  • Demonstrates a working knowledge of the State of Wisconsin Mental Health, Emergency Detention and Development Disabilities Code.
  • Must have excellent oral, written communication and problem-solving skills.


Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

  • Will frequently be required to lift 25 lbs. without assistance, and will occasionally be required to lift 25 lbs. with assistance.
  • May be exposed to the following hazards: mechanical, chemical, blood and body fluids.
  • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, squat, bend, and reach above shoulders and twist.
  • Ability to work with an agitated individual using proper-de-escalation techniques.
  • Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.


This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our CommitmenttoYou:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more - so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

  • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training

  • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job

  • Incentive pay for select positions

  • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

  • Paid Time Off programs

  • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, andShort- and Long-Term Disability

  • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses

  • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave

  • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

  • Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.


About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.


What Advocate Aurora Health employees say

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Workplace

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About Advocate Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Advocate Healthcare, based in Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States, is a leading figure in the health care industry. Accessible via their official website, 'advocatehealth.com', this organization provides a wide variety of medical services and treatment options. Founded in 1995 through a merger of Evangelical Health Systems Corporation and Lutheran General HealthSystem, Advocate Healthcare has grown exponentially over the years. Now, it operates more than 400 sites of care, including 12 hospitals that encompass 11 acute care hospitals, the state’s largest integrated children’s network, five Level I trauma centers, and three Level II trauma centers. Upholding their values of equality, compassion, excellence, partnership and stewardship, Advocate Healthcare's mission is centered on building lifelong relationships with patients by delivering the best health outcomes and highest level of service through an integrated approach to care and wellness.

Industry

Hospitals and health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlotte, NC, US