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Intake Counselor Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

ChildStrive

Intake Coordinator

Everett, WA · On-site

$25 - $27.50/hr

We invite highly skilled, dedicated professionals to join our team of therapists, educators, nurses, counselors and administrative support. We have a current opportunity for a part time Intake ...

Dlapiper

Lateral Intake Specialist

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$30.98 - $48.34/hr

Provides a foundational understanding of potential business and ethical conflicts to Conflicts Analysts and Professional Responsibility Counsel, and works with the New Business Intake Lateral Team on ...

UHS

FINANCIAL COUNSELOR

Kirkland, WA

$21.50 - $28.25/hr

This position is responsible for coordinating with Intake and Utilization Review Departments and ... The Financial Counselor is responsible for identifying potential payment and risk issues, and ...

UHS

FINANCIAL COUNSELOR

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$21.50 - $30.38/hr

This position is responsible for coordinating with Intake and Utilization Review Departments and ... The Financial Counselor is responsible for identifying potential payment and risk issues, and ...

THIRA HEALTH

Intake Therapist

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$32 - $48/hr

Requires Master's degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or ... Regularly conduct in-depth psychosocial intake assessments, evaluate a patient's appropriateness ...

Aldridge Pite LLP

Intake Processor

Mercer Island, WA · On-site

$20.25 - $27/hr

Purpose Aldridge Pite LLP has an immediate need for a Bankruptcy Intake Processor. This position ... Employee Assistance Plan, offering free 24/7 counseling and consulting services to support ...

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All JobsIntake Counselor JobsIntake Counselor Jobs in Seattle, WA

Intake Counselor information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$15

$25

$36

How much do intake counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for intake counselor in Seattle, WA is $25.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $28.46 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.

How to get a job as an admissions counselor?

To become an admissions counselor, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or a related field. Relevant skills include strong communication, interpersonal abilities, and knowledge of the admissions process; some roles may require experience in counseling or student services. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions can improve job prospects, and certifications in counseling or student services can be beneficial.

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 field of counseling makes the most money?

In counseling, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists tend to earn the highest salaries, often exceeding other counseling roles due to advanced degrees and licensure requirements. For intake counselors, salaries are generally lower, but those with specialized skills or working in private practice or healthcare settings may earn more.

What is the highest paid counselling job?

The highest paid counseling jobs are often in executive or clinical leadership roles, such as Director of Counseling or Clinical Director, which can earn six-figure salaries. Specialized fields like neuropsychology or addiction counseling with advanced certifications also tend to have higher compensation. Salary levels depend on experience, location, and the setting, such as private practice or healthcare institutions.

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.

How do I become an intake specialist?

To become an intake specialist, typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required, and some positions may prefer post-secondary education or relevant certifications. Relevant skills include strong communication, organization, and data entry abilities, often supported by experience with electronic health records or case management systems.
More about Intake Counselor jobs
Intake Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Intake Counselor job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,043 per year, or $25 per hour.
INTAKE COORDINATOR

INTAKE COORDINATOR

Seattle Indian Health Board

Vashon, WA • On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Seattle Indian Health Board rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Description
SIHB Core Competencies
Core Competencies are foundational commitments and skills that all SIHB staff are expected to develop. These competencies define common measures for performance that are applied to every role in the organization.
  • Commitment to Indigenous and Organizational Values: Everything we do at SIHB is centered on Traditional Indian Medicine. It is our responsibility to maintain cultural integrity in all that we do.
  • Accountability: All employees of SIHB effectively manage their own work and the work of their teams. We take ownership of our actions and decisions. We all strive to deliver the highest quality work and care, while respecting our teammates and relatives.
  • Collaboration: SIHB is a team-oriented organization. As team members, we share the responsibility of working toward a common purpose. We collaborate with our colleagues across the organization to deliver the highest quality of care and results in alignment with our mission, vision, values and Theory of Change.
  • Communication: We practice effective and clear communication with staff, relatives, teams and community. We demonstrate empathy among each other and with those we serve, and transparency in our decision-making.
  • Customer Service Orientation: All employees of SIHB recognize the needs of the diverse community we serve. We put the needs of our relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive, and innovative care. Our relatives come first and deserve the best.

Position Summary: As an intake coordinator, assumes responsibility for interaction with referring programs and individuals regarding admission of prospective clients. Provides information on referral process, evaluates referral information for appropriateness, ensures completeness of documentation, solicits supplemental information as appropriate, coordinates with the director and/or clinical supervisor.
Organizational Structure/Reporting Relationships: This position is part of the behavioral health team and has no direct reports.
Organizational Responsibilities
  • Hold Indigenous values and practices with respect and integrity
  • Hold yourself accountable to the highest standard by being resourceful, innovative, creative and solutions-oriented
  • Actively participate in organizational activities with the understanding that success is achieved through teamwork.
  • Recognize that communication is central to the organization's success and actively champion your words and actions to maintain respect for others, encourage constructive feedback, be open to share laughter and acknowledge differences in skills and opinions, all while keeping others' best intentions in mind.
  • At SIHB, we refer to our customers as Relatives. Our Relatives come first and deserve the best. Serve the needs of our Relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive and innovative care.

Job Responsibilities
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for incoming referrals, communicating with individuals, families, and referring agencies via phone and in person to facilitate the intake and admission process.
  • Clearly explain program requirements, eligibility criteria, and admission procedures to referral sources and prospective clients.
  • Review and evaluate intake applications to determine clinical appropriateness and program eligibility.
  • Assess financial eligibility, verify insurance or funding sources, and conduct follow-up to secure payment authorization and maximize program revenue.
  • Obtain pre-authorizations and ensure all required documentation is collected for successful billing and reimbursement.
  • Accurately document all referrals and intake interactions in a timely manner in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards.
  • Maintain and update a comprehensive intake database, tracking referral sources, payer information, documentation timelines, admission dates, length of stay, and discharge outcomes.
  • Manage and prioritize the waiting list by maintaining regular communication with referral sources regarding client status and bed availability.
  • Provide appropriate referrals to alternative services for individuals who are not eligible for admission.
  • Coordinate admissions with clinical and support staff, including counselors, nursing staff, and treatment attendants, to ensure smooth client transitions into the program.
  • Assign counselors to new admissions using a rotating system to balance caseloads and support equitable workload distribution.
  • Arrange transportation for incoming clients when necessary, ensuring timely and safe arrival to the facility.
  • Monitor and manage admissions flow to maintain optimal census levels while balancing staffing capacity and client care needs.
  • Collaborate with clinical, administrative, and billing teams to ensure continuity of care and operational efficiency.
  • Provide after-hours support for urgent intake-related issues, including critical incidents or admission-related emergencies as needed.

Requirements
  • Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in an administrative, intake, admissions, or customer service role; experience in a healthcare or behavioral health setting preferred.
  • Basic knowledge of substance use disorders, treatment services, and recovery principles preferred.
  • Familiarity with insurance verification, prior authorizations, and payer requirements (e.g., Medicaid, commercial insurance) is a plus.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and compassionately with clients, families, and referral sources.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in compliance with privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA).
  • Effective organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple referrals, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry, documentation, and record-keeping.
  • Experience using electronic health records (EHR) systems or database management systems preferred.
  • Ability to problem-solve, assess eligibility criteria, and make sound decisions within established guidelines.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including clinical, medical, and administrative staff.
  • Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) or similar software.
  • Flexibility to provide occasional after-hours or on-call support as needed.

Work Environment: SIHB operates on a 4x10 (4 days per week, 10 hours per day) work schedule with occasional extra hours for events, Saturday clinic, and to meet deadlines.

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