Job Details

Physician Extender - Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - 144220

Position Number: 7011093
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Medicine - Physician Assistant

Physician Extender - Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - 144220

Western Carolina University

Department: Health and Counseling Services

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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas 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 Americas 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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems 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 physician extender at Health Services will provide patient care by obtaining patient histories, performing physical examinations, ordering therapeutic and diagnostic testing as appropriate, prescribing medications and developing a plan of care to meet the patients needs. This individual will function as a member of the provider staff to provide both routine general medical treatments and assessments, as well as perform minor non-invasive procedures as needed.

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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Advanced clinical knowledge and skills in a specific area of practice, maintained through ongoing professional development and current with trends in college health care.
Ability to assess, diagnose, and treat patients across a range of medical conditions in an ambulatory setting.
Ability to support patients physical and mental well-being through education, counseling, and care planning.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively - both verbally and in writing - with patients, families, physicians, and other health care personnel.
Ability to listen actively and respond appropriately to patients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships across a multidisciplinary health care team.
Ability to instruct and mentor employees, students, faculty, and other clients as needed.

Work Schedule/Hours:
This is a full-time, permanent position. The selected candidate will have flexibility in scheduling, with options to work 32-40 hours per week, over 4 or 5 days per week, on an 11- or 12-month annual schedule, based upon supervisor discretion and the business needs of the campus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
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, completion of a Nurse Practitioner program 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 and currently registered and in good standing to practice in the state of North Carolina.

Preferred Qualifications:
Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include 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 or additional information please contact Angela Mills at apmills@email.wcu.edu

AA/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 jobs@email.wcu.edu.

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.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/33379