How To Become An Intake Counselor: What It Is and Career Path

What is an intake counselor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Virginia Schwindt,

Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson

An intake counselor is tasked with collecting relevant information from a patient or client before treatment or services are rendered. He/She evaluates clients and places them into the most appropriate plan. He/She may refer clients to outside programs and services. Also, he/she may give advice to clients who are considering drug or alcohol rehabilitation. Furthermore, he/she creates and maintains files and paperwork. Additionally, he/she fills client paperwork and ensures it is accurate. Intake counselors are employed in social services agencies, hospitals, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, or mental health facilities

Most employers prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree in health science. Applicants must have prior experience in a similar role. Having relevant certifications is a plus. You must possess communication, time management, and organization skills. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office and electronic medical record systems. Intake counselors make an average salary of $42,950 per annum. This falls between $32,000 and $58,000.

What general advice would you give to an intake counselor?

Virginia Schwindt

MSW Field Director/Associate Professor, Union University

Take the licensing test as soon as you are able to, and be open to where you work. It is great to want a specific population or employer, but being open to other experiences may be where God wants you to be. Don't limit yourself because, as a social worker, you can do so many different things.

ScoreIntake CounselorUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $44,574

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.4

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.38%

Asian 3.23%

Black or African American 11.28%

Hispanic or Latino 12.21%

Unknown 5.91%

White 67.00%

Gender

female 74.45%

male 25.55%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.9

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an intake counselor

Explore intake counselor education requirements

Most common intake counselor degrees

Bachelor's

56.1 %

Master's

28.1 %

Associate

9.1 %

Start to develop specific intake counselor skills

Skills	Percentages
Social Work	21.33%
Patients	14.34%
Crisis Intervention	9.82%
Triage	5.45%
Community Resources	4.84%

Complete relevant intake counselor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New intake counselors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an intake counselor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real intake counselor resumes.

Research intake counselor duties and responsibilities

Manage assignments of paying medical bills limit in depth that include organizing and researching regulations as pertain to veterans eligibility.
Watch the board of AAA drivers for assign area and making sure all service calls are being complete in time allot.
Interview all incoming beneficiaries in the development of treatment and rehabilitation goal setting.
Recognized/Suggest cross selling opportunities to enhance member experience; promote AAA automotive relate programs.

Prepare your intake counselor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your intake counselor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an intake counselor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable intake counselor resume templates

Build a professional intake counselor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your intake counselor resume.