Patient Educator at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System – Boone, North Carolina

Location: Boone, North Carolina | Exempt

As a Patient Educator at UNC Health Appalachian, you’ll play a vital role in improving patient outcomes by ensuring individuals and families understand their diagnoses, care plans, and medical processes. This position focuses on education, communication, and patient advocacy—helping patients feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout their care journey.

You’ll collaborate closely with clinical teams, leadership, and patients to enhance the overall patient experience, promote safety, and support quality outcomes. This role is ideal for a Registered Nurse who is passionate about teaching, communication, and compassionate, patient-centered care.

Compensation: Hiring compensation starts at $36.68 per hour, based on education, experience, certification, and internal equity
Status: Exempt
Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA; supplemental insurance options; retirement plan with employer match; paid time off; tuition reimbursement; student loan refinancing; paid parental leave; wellness incentives; employee assistance programs; and additional employee discounts. Benefits begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment from new hire orientation.

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone, North Carolina offers year-round outdoor recreation, a vibrant arts and dining scene, excellent schools, and the energy of Appalachian State University.

• Assess and identify patient and family educational needs across care settings.

• Educate patients and families on medical diagnoses, procedures, and care processes.

• Select and utilize appropriate teaching tools and methods to promote understanding.

• Serve as a clinical education resource for staff and leadership, recommending best practices.

• Support patient safety, quality care, and positive patient outcomes through effective education.

• Communicate clearly and compassionately with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.

• Provide care and education guided by ethical principles, respect, and empathy.

• Respond to emergencies and support care teams as needed.

• Promote effective communication and a patient-centered care environment.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program required

• Master’s Degree in Nursing preferred

• Two (2) or more years of clinical nursing experience required

• Prior teaching or patient education experience preferred but not required

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of North Carolina

• Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association preferred but not required

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant computer programs

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to effectively educate and communicate with patients, families, staff, and physicians

• Competence in delivering safe, effective care within legal and organizational guidelines

• Strong customer service skills with a compassionate, respectful approach

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented healthcare environment

• Ability to lift, position, push, pull, and/or transfer up to and greater than 30 pounds

• Manual dexterity and functional mobility for patient care and education activities

• Prolonged sitting, standing, and walking

• Frequent bending, squatting, twisting, and turning

• Near visual acuity for detailed work (20 inches or less)

• Infrequent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious materials

• Infrequent exposure to mechanical, electrical, and environmental hazards

• May require flexibility to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies

• Extended periods of sitting, standing, and walking (8+ hours per shift)

• Possible exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in clinical settings

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.