Psychiatric Physician Extender (Temporary - Buncombe)

Psychiatric Physician Extender (S)

This is a temporary position and there are no leave or retirement benefits offered with this position. Temporary employees who work an annual average of 30 or more hours per week may be eligible for health insurance coverage under the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). For more information on Health Benefits offered visit

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Note: Permanent and time-limited NC State Government employees must separate from their permanent or time-limited position in order to work in a temporary position. All temporary employees are limited to one NC State Government temporary assignment at a time.

Individuals hired into a temporary State job must be fully qualified for the job. OSHR supports the Governor's Job Ready initiative and seeks to expand a temporary skill set to enhance their qualifications for State government and private sector jobs. Exposure to an agency's culture, process, procedures, and potential learning opportunities can provide valuable experience to those who may seek permanent employment with the state. This temporary position is located at 201 Tabernacle Rd., Black Mountain - Buncombe County, with Department of Health & Human Services/ The Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center (ADATC) ​.

Job Order Hourly Rate of Pay: $70.00 (Based on education and/or years of relevant work experience reflected on the application). Effective July 1, 2025, candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed from the class specification. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed within this vacancy announcement will be used only as management preferences and will be used to screen for the most qualified pool of applicants.

Job duties include but may not be limited to:

• The primary responsibility of the Physician Extender is to assess the biomedical condition of the patient in the form of a comprehensive history and physical. In addition, the Physician Extender's responsibilities include the development, implementation, and follow-up monitoring of the medical treatment plan; this plan includes appropriate discharge planning.
• Provides high quality medical treatment to assigned patients in a prompt and compassionate manner.
• Shows sound clinical judgment to positively affect patient outcomes.
• Conducts thorough bio/psycho/social psychiatric assessments and provides patient diagnosis and treatment per professional guidelines and community standard of care.
• Obtains collateral information and reviews reports developed by other physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, counselors and other healthcare professionals.
• Provides consultation to the non-psychiatric medical staff in areas not limited to psychotropic medications, behavioral objectives and therapeutic interventions/modalities.
• Actively engages in the treatment team process for assigned patients (as evidenced by regular attendance, prompt arrival, being engaged in the process, and being prepared for discussion before the treatment team begins).
• Develops and approves all medical master plan treatment plans and reports these at scheduled treatment teams.
• Effectively collaborates with other clinical and non-clinical personnel and other associated departments on campus, providing essential interactive synergy, including but not limited to "hand-off communication" from one colleague to another.
• Communicates to patient(s), staff and patient's family in a prompt, respectful, courteous, caring and compassionate manner while adhering to HIPAA, State and Federal regulations regarding patient confidentiality.
• Attends all required professional and facility training including but not limited to the following: CPR, Annual Reviews, Motivational Interviewing, CPI, etc.
• Completes required continuing medical education in order to maintain medical license and/or specific certification.

Management Preferences:

• The ability to apply knowledge regarding pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, diagnostic classification according to DSM-IV, to consistently meet the standards and guidelines of regulatory agencies to include but not be limited to The Joint Commission, CMS, American Academy of Family Physicians/American College of Physicians, and Center's Medical Staff By-Laws, policies and procedure.
• Possesses the ability to foster and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, staff, and administration.
• The ability to complete a comprehensive history and physical assessment, gather data, and apply knowledge related to pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, diagnostic classification according to DSM-IV, to consistently formulate appropriate treatment plans.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Licensed as a Physician Assistant by the North Carolina Medical Board and holding a Psychiatry Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) and one year of experience or approved to practice as a Nurse Practitioner by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and the North Carolina Medical Board holding the Psychiatric – Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification and one year of experience.

EEO Statement: The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.