LPN - Behavioral Health

Position Overview

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides patient care services, attending to the psychosocial, physical, and general aspects of patient care. The LPN delivers services in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while working within their scope of practice and licensure. Responsibilities include implementing healthcare plans developed by a registered nurse (RN) or physician, ensuring professional and compassionate patient care, and maintaining high standards in clinical practice.

LPNs operate under assignment or delegation by and performance under the supervision, orders, or directions of an RN, physician, or other authorized personnel as defined by state law. The LPN adheres to ARHS policies, regulatory requirements, and standards of behavior while demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and professionalism.

The LPN is expected to communicate effectively with patients, families, colleagues, and leadership while fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment. Their work supports the achievement of top decile results in patient experience, quality, and safety.

Compensation is commensurate upon education, experience, certification, and internal equity. Hiring compensation range starts from $20.00 /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 $20.00 /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 includes health, dental, and vision insurance as well as HSA.
• Supplemental insurance options include short- and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, and legal insurance.
• 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. A cash-out option is 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. A program solely funded by voluntary employee donations to assist co-workers experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
• Additional employee perks include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change).
• Take a virtual tour of our new Schaefer Family Patient Care Tower by clicking here.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide patient care in alignment with an RN or physician-directed healthcare plan.
• Deliver safe, ethical, and effective patient care within the legal scope of practice and hospital policies.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams to ensure quality care.
• Maintain compliance with ARHS policies, regulatory standards, and patient confidentiality requirements.
• Support and assist colleagues in creating a positive and efficient work environment.

Position Requirements

Minimum Education:

• Graduate of an accredited practical nursing program.

Experience:

• Previous experience as an LPN preferred.
• Prior healthcare experience in an acute or clinical setting preferred.
• One year of experience in behavioral health preferred.

Required Registration/License/Certification:

• Current licensure as an LPN in North Carolina.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association is required at the time of hire.
• All required certifications must be obtained within one year of hire, except Basic Life Support (BLS).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of and ability to work within the scope of practice of an LPN.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with patients, families, and staff.
• Competence in delivering patient care within the legal limits of licensure and hospital policies.
• Understanding of the continuum of nursing care in a patient care department.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service.

Physical Demands

• Lifting, positioning, pushing, pulling, and/or transferring up to and greater than 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and mobility required.
• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable sitting, standing, and walking.
• Frequent bending, squatting, twisting, and turning.
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less.

Working Conditions

• Regular exposure to bloodborne disease risks.
• Frequent exposure to hazards from electrical, mechanical, or power equipment, odorous chemicals, and specimens.
• Subject to irregular hours, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Continuous standing and walking for periods equal to or greater than 8 hours per shift.
• Speaking, reading, and writing for extended periods greater than 8 hours per day.
• Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces for more than 1 hour per day.
• Frequent mobilization of patients for more than 4 hours per day.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling over 50 lbs per shift.
• Frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, turning, and reaching.
• Frequent hand, finger, and wrist repetition with moderate dexterity.
• Frequent exposure to soft voices at distances greater than 3 feet.
• Frequent close eye work.
• Infrequent 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.