Physician Extender Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

Physician Extender Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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 3240 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

Open Date - 09/11/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled - Yes

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 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

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, 227HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 View phone number on click.appcast.io) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 View phone number on click.appcast.io). 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