Physician Extender – Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - #270023

Western Carolina University has been ranked #3 in the nation on Forbes 2025 ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, out of the top 498 employers across all industries.

Physician Extender – Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - #270023

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

To be considered, you must apply online.

Attach a cover letter, current resume, a list of at least three professional references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone), and a copy of any licenses/certifications you may have.

For questions and additional information, please contact Katie Lanning at [email protected].

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number	EHRA1127P
Quick Link for Internal Postings	https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35414
Classification Title	Physician Extender
Working Title	Physician Extender – Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - #270023
Department	Health and Counseling Services
Anticipated Hiring Range
About WCU	Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including: • 2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. • 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. • 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes ‘America’s Best Midsize Employers’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. • 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary	The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA). The Mental Health Physician Extender provides psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and medication management services for students receiving care through Health Services. Working collaboratively with medical providers, counselors, psychologists, social workers, case managers, and other campus partners, the provider supports student mental health, emotional well-being, academic success, and retention through the delivery of evidence-based psychiatric care. The duties of the position include conducting psychiatric evaluations and mental health assessments; developing treatment plans; prescribing and managing psychiatric medications; coordinating care with internal and external healthcare providers; maintaining clinical documentation in accordance with professional, legal, and accreditation standards; participating in interdisciplinary case consultation; providing education and consultation to students and campus stakeholders; supporting outreach initiatives related to mental health and wellness; and maintaining required licensure, credentialing, and professional practice requirements necessary to provide psychiatric services. Compliance Requirements: All staff serving in this position must be able to meet the credentialing and privileging requirements established by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), as amended or updated from time to time. The candidate selected for this position will be required to complete an Application for Appointment and Privileging with Health Services Medical Staff prior to the completion of the hiring process. Collaborative Practice Requirement: The selected candidate must be able to satisfy and maintain all collaborative practice requirements necessary to perform the duties of the position in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, licensure requirements, and professional practice standards. The candidate will be provided a collaborative practice relationship(s) with a psychiatrist contracted through WCU Health Services for supervisory and consultative purposes.  Continued ability to meet applicable collaborative practice requirements is necessary for the performance of the essential functions of this position. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Psychiatric assessment and treatment: Thorough knowledge of psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychopharmacology, and medication management principles necessary to provide evidence-based mental health care. Clinical judgment and patient care: Ability to assess patient needs, formulate diagnoses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications within scope of practice, and monitor treatment outcomes in accordance with accepted standards of care. Collaboration and care coordination: Ability to work effectively with healthcare providers, counselors, case managers, faculty, staff, and community resources to support continuity of care and positive student outcomes. Communication and documentation: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations and maintain accurate clinical documentation in accordance with professional, legal, and institutional requirements. Work Schedule/Hours: This is a full-time, permanent position with flexibility in scheduling, with options to work 32–40 hours per week, over 4 or 5 days per week. Specific work arrangements will be established at the time of hire and may be adjusted based on operational needs.
Minimum Qualifications	Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance. Licensed as a Registered Nurse by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, and completion of a Nurse Practitioner program with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification approved by the North Carolina Joint Subcommittee of the Board of Nursing and Board of Medical Examiners, and approved to practice medical acts by the Joint Subcommittee; OR licensed as a Physician Assistant by the North Carolina Medical Board with a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Psychiatry and currently registered and in good standing to practice in the state of North Carolina. Five years of demonstrated experience providing psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and medication management services.
Preferred Qualifications	Experience providing psychiatric services within a college health, university counseling, outpatient behavioral health, or integrated healthcare setting. Experience working with adolescents, young adults, and college-aged populations. Experience evaluating and treating common behavioral health concerns affecting university students, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and related conditions. Preference may be given to candidates who have an existing professional relationship with a North Carolina licensed psychiatrist that could support fulfillment of collaborative practice requirements.
Position Type	Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week	32 - 40
Number of Months Per Year	12

Posting Text

Open Date	09/11/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants	To be considered, you must apply online. Attach a cover letter, current resume, a list of at least three professional references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone), and a copy of any licenses/certifications you may have. For questions and additional information, please contact Katie Lanning at [email protected].
Background/E-Verify	Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification	All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE	Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at [email protected].
University Safety	The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Resume
3. List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you require sponsorship?
   • Yes
   • No