Entry Level Counselor Jobs
New grad counselor jobs connect recent graduates and entry level candidates with their first professional roles, where internship experience or a practicum placement often matters more than years on a resume. Most openings are on-site positions across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Government & Public Sector, with employers like LifeStance Health, Management & Training Corporation, and New York State Office of Mental Health hiring at this level now.
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INTRODUCTION
Full-Time Evenings 3pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends. At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
JOB DESCRIPTION
Full-Time Evenings 3pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends. The Psychiatric Counselor reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. A Psychiatric Counselor, under the direction of the Patient Care Manager, Charge or Staff Nurse, delivers direct care to the psychiatric patient. Effectively interacts with the patient, their support network, and other members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team to rapidly identify and treat the crisis that is occurring.
Responsibilities:
- Conducts intake's consisting of the BHS Pre-Admission Assessment, all admission forms, Voluntary forms along with patient rights. Orient's patient to unit and conducts body and belongings search under the direction of the Charge RN.
- Plans and implements care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. Able to begin and add to the Master Treatment Plan.
- Facilitates groups, educational, and focus to Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric population. Conducts Community and Wrap-Up and Expressive Therapy Groups along with milieu management.
- Under the direction of the Charge RN assists with ADL's.
- Serves on BHS and unit work groups when requested.
- Communicates to Manager and Charge Nurse any incidents regarding patients and staff that may compromise unit safety.
- Conducts telephone screenings (inquiry calls) in a fashion resulting in appropriate disposition based on the phone contact.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- One year experience in a behavioral health unit or one completed semester of internship in a behavioral health field.
- CPR – Basic Life Support
- De-escalation training within six months of hire
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health science field
- Experience in mental health substance abuse
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):
Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
INTRODUCTION
Full-Time Evenings 3pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends. At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
JOB DESCRIPTION
Full-Time Evenings 3pm-11:30pm with rotating weekends. The Psychiatric Counselor reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. A Psychiatric Counselor, under the direction of the Patient Care Manager, Charge or Staff Nurse, delivers direct care to the psychiatric patient. Effectively interacts with the patient, their support network, and other members of the multi-disciplinary treatment team to rapidly identify and treat the crisis that is occurring.
Responsibilities:
- Conducts intake's consisting of the BHS Pre-Admission Assessment, all admission forms, Voluntary forms along with patient rights. Orient's patient to unit and conducts body and belongings search under the direction of the Charge RN.
- Plans and implements care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team. Able to begin and add to the Master Treatment Plan.
- Facilitates groups, educational, and focus to Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric population. Conducts Community and Wrap-Up and Expressive Therapy Groups along with milieu management.
- Under the direction of the Charge RN assists with ADL's.
- Serves on BHS and unit work groups when requested.
- Communicates to Manager and Charge Nurse any incidents regarding patients and staff that may compromise unit safety.
- Conducts telephone screenings (inquiry calls) in a fashion resulting in appropriate disposition based on the phone contact.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- One year experience in a behavioral health unit or one completed semester of internship in a behavioral health field.
- CPR – Basic Life Support
- De-escalation training within six months of hire
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health science field
- Experience in mental health substance abuse
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position):
Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
See All 172+ Entry Level Counselor Jobs
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Find Entry Level Counselor JobsEntry Level Counselor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- LifeStance Health15
- Management & Training Corporation13
- New York State Office of Mental Health8
- IDEA Public Schools5
- RHA Health Services5
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services82
- Education49
- Government & Public Sector11
- Science & Research2
- Technology & Software2
Entry Level Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level counselor job?
Entry level counselor positions typically look for candidates with a relevant degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field, along with completed internship or practicum hours. Highlighting supervised client hours, any licensure progress such as working toward an associate or provisional license, and specific populations you have worked with gives your application a clear edge at this stage.
Which companies hire entry level counselors?
Companies hiring entry level counselors right now include LifeStance Health, Management & Training Corporation, and New York State Office of Mental Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Community mental health centers, school districts, nonprofit social service agencies, and behavioral health networks are among the most active employers at this experience level.
Are there remote entry level counselor jobs?
Yes, though on-site and hybrid roles still make up the majority of openings at this level. About 22% of entry level counselor openings are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with telehealth platforms and online behavioral health companies among the most common sources of fully remote positions for newer clinicians building their hours.
Are these new grad counselor jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior counselor roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts internship or practicum work toward its requirements, or accepts a portfolio of supervised hours in place of post-graduation employment. Look for language like 'new graduates encouraged to apply' or 'licensure-eligible considered' as reliable signals.
Which industries hire the most entry level counselors?
Entry Level counselor roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Government & Public Sector, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they rely on a steady pipeline of newly licensed or license-eligible clinicians to meet ongoing demand for mental health, school-based, and community support services.