Patient Educator

Position Overview:

The Patient Educator at UNC Health Appalachian is responsible for assessing and addressing patient care educational needs. This role involves educating patients and families on medical processes and diagnoses, utilizing various teaching tools to ensure understanding. The Patient Educator serves as a resource for staff and leadership, recommending best practices for enhancing the patient experience. This position contributes to quality patient care and safety, fostering effective communication and compassionate care.

Compensation is commensurate upon education, experience, certification, and internal equity. Hiring compensation range starts from $35.75/hour.

The Perks and Benefits:

• Collaborative environment: Work alongside dedicated healthcare professionals who share a passion for delivering high-quality care.
• Professional development: We offer ongoing training and opportunities for career advancement, including tuition reimbursement and participation in our progressive Career Pathways Program.
• Impactful work: Help ensure patient safety and contribute directly to positive patient outcomes in our community.
• Location perks: Boone, North Carolina, located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, offers exceptional outdoor activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. Enjoy great shopping, fine dining, breweries, wineries, and cultural attractions in Boone, Blowing Rock, and Linville.
• Top-tier community: Boone boasts a top-rated North Carolina public school system and is home to Appalachian State University. Recognized as a top destination by Forbes, Southern Living, and Niche, Boone is ideal for families, professionals, and retirees alike.
• Compensation is commensurate upon education & experience - range is 35.75/hour or more (depending on education & experience). Benefits begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment from the new hire orientation date. This position is a non-exempt position.
• Comprehensive benefits package to include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as HSA.
• Supplemental insurance to include short and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, legal insurance, etc.
• Student loan refinancing benefit and college savings fund as well as tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off - front-loaded for the first year for qualifying part-time and full-time employees (amount based on status and FTE at the time of hire) - paid time off accrual begins following the first year of employment. Cash out option also available for qualifying employees by meeting specified criteria.
• Paid parental leave - qualifying employees are eligible to use two (2) weeks of paid parental leave anytime during the first six (6) months following the birth or adoption of a child - to be taken consecutively.
• Employee wellness program - Love Your Life - award-winning voluntary wellness program available for UNC Health Appalachian employees. Employees enrolled on the organization's health plan can enroll with our health screening (biometrics and labs) and earn program incentives. Employees who are not enrolled on the organization's health plan can participate in online wellness activities for a chance to earn quarterly prize drawings.
• Employee to Employee (E2E) program - Caring for our own. Employee program that is solely funded by voluntary employee donations. The money is used to financially assist co-workers that are experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
• Additional employee perks include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change).

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess and identify patient care educational needs.
• Provide instruction to patients and families regarding medical diagnoses and processes.
• Select and utilize appropriate teaching tools to facilitate understanding.
• Serve as a resource to staff and leadership on best practices and educational methods.
• Ensure effective communication with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
• Provide quality care and support in line with ethical principles and compassion.
• Respond to emergencies and support team members as necessary.

Position Requirements:

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited program/institution is required at the time of hire.
• Master's degree in Nursing is preferred but not required.

Experience:

• Two (2) or more years of clinical nursing experience.
• Demonstrated teaching/education experience in nursing is preferred but not required.

Required Registration/License/Certification:

• Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of North Carolina.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant programs.
• Good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, staff, and physicians.
• Competent in delivering safe and effective patient care within legal and hospital policy limits.
• Strong customer service skills, demonstrating respect and compassion for patients, families, and staff.

Physical Demands:

• Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 30 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and mobility.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking.
• Frequent bending, squatting, twisting, and turning.
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less.

Working Conditions:

• Infrequently exposed to the risk of blood-borne diseases.
• Infrequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals, and unpleasant elements.
• May be subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergencies.
• Continuous sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods of 8 hours or more per shift.
• Potential exposure to ionizing/non-ionizing radiation, including x-ray and microwave.

About UNC Health Appalachian
It's official - UNC Health Appalachian earned an "A" in the fall 2023 Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades! UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply "making life better."

About UNC Health
UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen. For accommodations or additional information, contact arhsrecruitment@unchealth.unc.edu.