The Swain County Health Department
Provides many services to residents of Swain County and surrounding areas. The Health Department has a full-time staff consisting of the Health Director, Public Health Nurses, Environmental Health Specialists, Nutritionists, Health Educator, Social Worker, Management Support Staff, and Clinician.
Mailing Address:
545 Center Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
Fax 828-488-8672
Office Hours: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm Closed for lunch 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Alison Cochran – Director – 828-488-3198
Stacy Parris – Assistant Health Director – 828-488-3198
Beth Floyd – Operations Director – 828-488-3198
Megan Bernhisel – Clinical Director – 828-488-3198
Brent Jones – Environmental Health Supervisor – 828-488-3198
Department Programs
Family Planning Program
The Swain County Health Department Family Planning Program provides family planning services to men and women of reproductive age. The Family Planning Program offers pregnancy testing and counseling, birth control, preventive health services, STD testing, preconception counseling, and basic infertility services. Family Planning services provided to minors do not require the consent of a parent/guardian. All services are confidential.
Available Birth Control Methods:
Mirena IUD
Liletta IUD
ParaGard IUD
Nexplanon Implant
Depo-Provera Injection
NuvaRing
Birth Control Pills
Condoms
Emergency Contraception is available on a walk-in basis, Monday – Friday.
Family Planning services that require consultation with a Physician are provided by appointment each Wednesday.
The cost for Family Planning services is based on a sliding fee scale. Swain County Health Department also accepts NC Medicaid. To schedule an appointment please call 828-488-3198.
Adult Health Clinic
Adult Health Clinic is for anyone 18 years and older for a complete physical. This service is by appointment on Wednesdays only.
Communicable Disease
TB, AIDS, and other Communicable Diseases provide counseling and assistance in accessing medical and support services.
Sexually Transmitted Disease STD’s – Clinic provides testing for a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. Educational counseling and preventive measures are included. Treatment for certain STD’s is provided at no charge.
General Clinic – Walk-In
General clinic provides blood pressure, weight, and immunization checks per patient’s request. Some laboratory services are also provided. (May require a doctors order) No appointments are necessary for these services.
Health Education
The Statewide Health Promotion Program of North Carolina supports community-based programs promoting policy and environmental changes that will support increased physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco cessation. Our Healthy Communities Program is involved with many partner agencies to help improve the quality of health within our community.
Our Focus: Substance use/misuse prevention, chronic disease.
Tobacco Prevention
• Help in quitting smoking – Call 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669.)
Telephone Service is available 24/7 toll-free
• Smoke-free parks & Recreation
• NC Restaurants and Bars Law
• Second-hand smoke facts
• Fresh Start cessation classes
• NC Tobacco Prevention and Control
Obesity
• Swain Summits Program
Substance Abuse Prevention
Partners with community agencies and coalitions such as the Coalition For A Drug-Free Swain County.
• Lock your meds campaign is a FREE lockbox distribution.
• Promotion of Naloxone (the antidote that reverses an opioid overdose.
• Prevention of overdose through education and information.
• Syringe Dropbox Locations in partnership with other organizations.
• Medication Dropbox Locations at Swain County Sheriff’s Department & Bryson City Pharmacy.
WIC
Women’s, Infants and Children (WIC) is a supplemental food program for women, infants and children. You may be eligible if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a child less than 5 years of age.
This agency is an equal opportunity provider.
WIC is available to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. To participate, these persons must:
•Live in North Carolina.
•Have a family income less than 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. A person receiving Medicaid, Work First Families Assistance (TANF), or assistance from the NC Food and Nutritional Services automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
•Be at nutritional risk. A nutritionist or other health professional makes the nutritional risk assessment at no cost to the participant, usually at the local WIC office.
WIC Income Guidelines -Once the size and gross income of the economic unit (or household) have been determined and documented, staff use the poverty income guidelines included in the chart below to determine income eligibility. The guidelines are published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Breastfeeding Support
Assembles classes, books, videotapes, breast pumps, one-on-one instruction and support are provided for women who would like to, or are currently, breastfeeding.
View the Notice of Free Interpretation and Available Assistance Services. – click here for information
Nondiscrimination Statement / Aviso de No Discriminaci?n – click here for information
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Environmental Health
For questions or to submit forms: EnviroHealth@swaincountync.gov
Septic and Well Permits to be viewed on properties in Swain County. click this link: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3b2415008ee442719fcf3a30605c8161
Environmental Health Public Records Search Request.
Swain County Health Department Fee Schedule – Onsite Wastewater Evaluations and Inspections Fees:
- EOP/COVID EOP pricing – $35.00
- Session Law Permits are same as fees below
Residential Septic:
- 1 Bedroom $450.00
- 2 Bedroom $450.00
- 3 Bedroom $550.00
- 4 Bedroom $650.00
- 5 Bedroom & Above $ 750.00 + $100.00 additional over 5 BR
- Authorization to Construct (AC) $250.00
- Recreational Vehicle or Travel Trailer Permit $450.00
- Repair Permit – Residential $100.00
- Septic Tank Relocation Permit $225.00
- Change of use of Facility $300.00
- Addition to Structure $100.00
- Additional Bedroom $200.00 per bedroom
- Authorization to Reconnect to Existing System $ 150.00
- Authorization to Reconnect to Existing in Mobile Home Park $100.00
- Revisit Fee $100.00
- Site Visit Fee $100.00
- Administrative Fee $65.00
- Operation Permit Type 4 & Above (5 Year Inspection) $1000.00
Commercial Septic:
- 0-360 Gallon $1000.00
- 361-1000 Gallon $1500.00
- Repair Permit – Commercial $ 100.00
Well Construction Authorization Permit Fees:
- New Well Permit $375.00
- Well Abandonment Permit $100.00
- Well Repair Permit $100.00
- Well Variance Permit $150.00
- Well Site Consultative Visit $100.00
- Well Consult with Downhole Camera $300.00
- Well Site Re-Visit Fee $100.00
Water Sample Application Fees:
- Bacteriological Water Sample $75.00
- Chemical Water Sample $100.00
- Nitrate Water Sample $70.00
- Pesticide Water Sample $100.00
- Volatile Organic Analysis $100.00
Other Application Fees:
- Food Plan Review Application $200.00
- Pool Permit Application $100.00
- Pool Construction, Remodel, or Modify Application $250.00
- Tattoo Permit Application $100.00
- Temporary Food Booth Application $75.00
ENVIRO HEALTH – 2025 LIMITED FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT PERMIT
HD – 2025 MOBILE FOOD UNIT PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION
HD – 2025 POOL APPLICATION
HD – 2026 Septic, Well, and Reconnection Application
HD – Donation Only Food Event Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – Event Organizer Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – Food Plan Review Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – SEPTIC RECORD SEARCH
HD – Tattoo Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – Temporary Food Vendor Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – Water Sample Application 2021 – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
ENVIRO HEALTH – 2025 LIMITED FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT PERMIT
Resources
- Swain County Health Department conducts a Community Health Assessment every 3 years. Community Health Assessment (CHA) is the foundation for improving and promoting the health of county residents. Community health assessment is a key step in the continuous community health improvement process. The role of CHA is to identify factors that affect the health of a population and determine the availability of resources within the county to adequately address these factors.
- How to navigate our county’s scorecard.
- Swain County Community Health Assessment (CHA) 2024, Swain County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) 2025 and Swain County State of the County Health Report (SOTCH) 2025 and 2026
- Swain County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) 2021 and Swain County State of the County Health Report (SOTCH) 2022 and 2023
- Community Health Assessment: 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021
- The seasonal flu vaccine will be available in September. Children who are uninsured or have Medicaid can get the vaccine at no cost. Please call 828-488-3198 x 2019 for more information.
Swain County Human Services Board
The Human Services Board is the policy-making, rule-making and adjudicatory body for the Swain County Health Department.
- Jay Kirkland, Chairman
Phone: 828-736-0091
Email: Jay.Kirkland@swaincountync.gov
- Tanner Lawson, Vice Chairman
Phone: 828-736-6945
Email: Tanner.Lawson@swaincountync.gov - Phil Carson
Phone: 828-736-2783
Email: P_Carson@swaincountync.gov - Bobby Jenkins
Phone: 828-269-7306
Email: Bobby.Jenkins@swaincountync.gov - David Loftis
Phone: 828-788-6486
Email: David.Loftis@swaincountync.gov - Lottie Barker, County Manager
Phone: 828-488-9273 ext. 2241
Email: Lottie.Barker@swaincountync.gov - Cindi C. Woodard, Clerk to the Board & Administrative Asst.
Phone 828-488-9273 ext. 2225
Careers
Human Resources
Submit one application below:
Swain County Job Application
North Carolina Employment Application
Completed applications can be mailed, emailed, or faxed:
- Swain County, Attn: Human Resources, P. O. Box 2321, Bryson City, NC 28713
- Faxed to: 828-488-2754 Attn: Human Resources
- Emailed to: HumanResources@swaincountync.gov
Swain County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
