Counselor Jobs in District of Columbia
Counselor jobs in District of Columbia concentrate heavily in behavioral health, school-based services, and federal government-adjacent social services programs, with demand at every level from entry-level case support to licensed clinical leadership. Most hiring is in Washington proper, where anchor employers like the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health, Children's National Hospital, and the American Psychological Association have maintained a steady presence. Mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and school counseling are the most consistently in-demand specialties across the District. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Counselor jobs
Kids Are Our Everything.
Department
10213 Genetic CounselingPay Range
$73,195.20 - $121,971.20Day Shift
Who We Are: Children’s National Rare Disease Institute (CNRDI) is a first-of-its-kind center focused exclusively on advancing the care and treatment of children and adults with rare genetic diseases. We provide a medical home for patients and families seeking the most advanced care and expertise for rare genetic conditions that remain largely unknown to the general medical community.
We coordinate the multidisciplinary care of children with genetic, metabolic and undiagnosed disorders in collaboration with primary care physicians and specialists from other divisions at Children’s National. Additionally, every geneticist here works in concert with a genetic counselor to manage both the clinical and practical aspects of treatment. The research interests of our practitioners ensure the timeliest and most thoughtful care for our patients.
About the Role :
The Genetic Counselor II will be responsible to provide genetic counseling services to patients through CNH on site or at designated outreach centers. Obtain medical and family histories, review pertinent medical records, counsel families regarding underlying diagnosis/medical findings including natural history and inheritance pattern (if applicable), and write counseling letters when indicated. Involvement in student supervision, as well as promotion of genetic disease awareness. Responsibilities also include the triage of questions received from administrative staff, outside hospitals, and other physicians.
Minimum Education
Master's Degree ABGC/ACGC accredited genetic counseling training program (Required)
Minimum Work Experience
2 years practicing genetic counselor (Required)
2 years experience in student supervision (Preferred)
Required Skills/Knowledge
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Foster student trainee growth.
Required Licenses and Certifications
Licensure & Certification Board certified. (Required)
Functional Accountabilities
Patient Services
- Obtain medical and family history of patients and review pertinet medical records.
- Perform risk assessment and discuss the pattern of inheritance pertinent to the specific disorder(s) that have been diagnosed in the family, and review recurrence risks for at-risk family members.
- Perform a psychosocial assessment and provide psychosocial support; counsel patients regarding available testing options and explore the risks and benefits of testing.
- Complete chart notes or summaries of the counseling session for the family, medical records, and the referring physician with guidance from a senior genetic counselor; provide backup support for other genetic counselors in the department.
- Provide appropriate written information to families about support groups and resources for their specific disorder or circumstance; facilitate referrals as needed; respond to patient's questions/concerns in a timely manner.
- Triage of questions from administrative staff, outside hospitals, and physicians.
Advocacy
- Promote genetic disease awareness.
Research
- Review current literature and recommended guidelines for upcoming patients.
- Provide up-to-date information regarding clinical trials and/or research as they relate to the patient care.
- Remain up-to-date with current genetic literature.
Education
- Attend regional and national meetings and disseminate information learned at the following genetic counselor meeting.
- Actively participate in monthly journal club.
- Achieve genetic counseling board certification.
- Serves as supervisor/coordinator for genetic counseling student rotations
- Performs mid-rotation and end-rotation review of student
- Communicates progress and goals to other genetic counselors working with the student
Benefits That Support You:
- Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
- Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
- Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.
- Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more
Why Join Us:
- Nationally Recognized Excellence – Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children’s Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- Leading Pediatric Care – One of the largest and most comprehensive children’s hospitals in the country, offering nationally ranked specialties and cutting-edge treatments.
- Innovation & Research – A premier academic medical center with a strong commitment to pediatric research, education, and advancing the future of child health.
- Mission-Driven Culture – Dedicated to providing family-centered care while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for clinical teams
The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children’s National believes an individual’s base pay rate will fall for this position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the maximum of the pay range. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children’s National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual’s combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children’s National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.
Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The “Know Your Rights” poster is available here: and the pay transparency policy is available here: Know Your RightsPay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster.
Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a “drug-free” work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children's National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.
Kids Are Our Everything.
Department
10213 Genetic CounselingPay Range
$73,195.20 - $121,971.20Day Shift
Who We Are: Children’s National Rare Disease Institute (CNRDI) is a first-of-its-kind center focused exclusively on advancing the care and treatment of children and adults with rare genetic diseases. We provide a medical home for patients and families seeking the most advanced care and expertise for rare genetic conditions that remain largely unknown to the general medical community.
We coordinate the multidisciplinary care of children with genetic, metabolic and undiagnosed disorders in collaboration with primary care physicians and specialists from other divisions at Children’s National. Additionally, every geneticist here works in concert with a genetic counselor to manage both the clinical and practical aspects of treatment. The research interests of our practitioners ensure the timeliest and most thoughtful care for our patients.
About the Role :
The Genetic Counselor II will be responsible to provide genetic counseling services to patients through CNH on site or at designated outreach centers. Obtain medical and family histories, review pertinent medical records, counsel families regarding underlying diagnosis/medical findings including natural history and inheritance pattern (if applicable), and write counseling letters when indicated. Involvement in student supervision, as well as promotion of genetic disease awareness. Responsibilities also include the triage of questions received from administrative staff, outside hospitals, and other physicians.
Minimum Education
Master's Degree ABGC/ACGC accredited genetic counseling training program (Required)
Minimum Work Experience
2 years practicing genetic counselor (Required)
2 years experience in student supervision (Preferred)
Required Skills/Knowledge
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Foster student trainee growth.
Required Licenses and Certifications
Licensure & Certification Board certified. (Required)
Functional Accountabilities
Patient Services
- Obtain medical and family history of patients and review pertinet medical records.
- Perform risk assessment and discuss the pattern of inheritance pertinent to the specific disorder(s) that have been diagnosed in the family, and review recurrence risks for at-risk family members.
- Perform a psychosocial assessment and provide psychosocial support; counsel patients regarding available testing options and explore the risks and benefits of testing.
- Complete chart notes or summaries of the counseling session for the family, medical records, and the referring physician with guidance from a senior genetic counselor; provide backup support for other genetic counselors in the department.
- Provide appropriate written information to families about support groups and resources for their specific disorder or circumstance; facilitate referrals as needed; respond to patient's questions/concerns in a timely manner.
- Triage of questions from administrative staff, outside hospitals, and physicians.
Advocacy
- Promote genetic disease awareness.
Research
- Review current literature and recommended guidelines for upcoming patients.
- Provide up-to-date information regarding clinical trials and/or research as they relate to the patient care.
- Remain up-to-date with current genetic literature.
Education
- Attend regional and national meetings and disseminate information learned at the following genetic counselor meeting.
- Actively participate in monthly journal club.
- Achieve genetic counseling board certification.
- Serves as supervisor/coordinator for genetic counseling student rotations
- Performs mid-rotation and end-rotation review of student
- Communicates progress and goals to other genetic counselors working with the student
Benefits That Support You:
- Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
- Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
- Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.
- Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more
Why Join Us:
- Nationally Recognized Excellence – Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children’s Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- Leading Pediatric Care – One of the largest and most comprehensive children’s hospitals in the country, offering nationally ranked specialties and cutting-edge treatments.
- Innovation & Research – A premier academic medical center with a strong commitment to pediatric research, education, and advancing the future of child health.
- Mission-Driven Culture – Dedicated to providing family-centered care while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for clinical teams
The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children’s National believes an individual’s base pay rate will fall for this position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the maximum of the pay range. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children’s National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual’s combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children’s National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.
Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The “Know Your Rights” poster is available here: and the pay transparency policy is available here: Know Your RightsPay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster.
Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a “drug-free” work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children's National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.
See All 13 Counselor Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Counselor JobsCounselor Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Counselor Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in counselor jobs across District of Columbia.
- Active District of Columbia licensed professional counselor (LPC) credential or license eligible status
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related field
- Experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, or school-based counseling settings
- Familiarity with electronic health records and case documentation in clinical environments
- Ability to meet DC background check and credentialing requirements for client-facing roles
- Strong knowledge of HIPAA compliance, mandated reporting, and DC-specific confidentiality regulations
Counselor Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a counselor in District of Columbia?
Becoming a licensed counselor in the District of Columbia is overseen by the DC Board of Professional Counseling, which issues the Licensed Professional Counselor credential. Candidates need a master's degree in counseling or a related field, completion of supervised clinical hours, and passage of the National Counselor Examination. Those pursuing licensure should apply directly through the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, which administers the credentialing process for mental health professionals in the District.
Which companies hire counselors in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring counselors in District of Columbia right now include Community Link, Samaritan Inns, and Eckerd Connects, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The District's dense concentration of federally funded nonprofits, community mental health centers, and government health agencies makes it one of the more active markets for licensed and pre-licensed counselors in the mid-Atlantic region.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most counselor jobs?
The cities with the most counselor openings in District of Columbia are Washington. Washington itself drives the overwhelming share of demand, given its concentration of federal agencies, university-affiliated clinics, and large nonprofit behavioral health networks, while openings in surrounding areas often trace back to satellite offices or community programs tied to those same anchor institutions.
Are there remote counselor jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many clinical fields, since telehealth-based counseling became a well-established delivery model. About 33% of counselor openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the District's strong telemental health infrastructure. Roles in individual therapy, crisis counseling, and employee assistance programs tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while school-based and residential positions remain primarily on-site.
How can I get hired as a counselor in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for counselor resident or clinical intern roles, which are structured specifically for candidates completing their supervised hours toward DC licensure. Community mental health centers like the DC Department of Behavioral Health and nonprofits such as Pathways to Housing DC routinely bring on counseling residents and case management associates. Lateral moves from roles like mental health technician, crisis intervention specialist, or peer support specialist can also open the door, especially when paired with an active DC Board of Professional Counseling registration.
Where can I find and apply to counselor jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to counselor jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the District. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to whichever positions fit your background and career goals.
See All 13 Counselor Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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