Resurrection Lutheran Church

The Parish Nurse

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Parish Nurse works with the pastor and health ministry to:

1.      Identify congregational health needs and promote whole person health:

2.      Provide and coordinate educational classes to enable wellness and prevent illness; and to incorporate education with whole body teachings.

3.      Provide personal health counseling, spiritual support, health screenings, and referrals for the members as need.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESTO THE CONGREGATION:

The Parish Nurse is part of the ministerial staff. The activities may include, but will not be limited to the following:

1.      A personal, health counselor, spiritual support, and home visitor.

2.       Parish nurse will work monthly with the health ministry to develop and plan the health ministry in the church...

3.      Plan and teach classes, schedule speakers, bring in other support groups from the community to teach as well, and coordinate support groups. (Ex, healthy lifestyles, stress relievers act...)

4.      Promotion of health education through a congregational weekly bulletin, web site page and in-services

5.      Provide the congregation with regular health screening and monitoring (ex, blood pressure checks)

6.      Recruit other congregational members to volunteer their talent and time to help in the health ministry ( ex, The Prayer Shawl Ministry)

7.      Provide Health referral information to the congregation

8.      Serve as a liaison between the congregation and community resources.

9.      Maintain appropriate health records regarding the congregation.

10. Other job descriptions or responsibilities assigned by the pastor.

11. Health educator by providing a monthly bulletin board of new health information and ideas.

12. Participates in the Chattanooga Parish Nurse Network meetings and projects.

13.  Provides congregation with a health assessment survey for what they may require .

14. Work with the Pastor to meet the needs of the congregation and their families.

BASIC CREDENTIALS:

1.     Current Licensure as RN in Tennessee

2.     Minimum of 5 years of nursing experience

3.     Sense of call to Parish Nursing Ministry

4.     BSN is preferred with background in medical /surgical nursing health education and emergency room nursing

5.     Communication skills with others and those in the medical field.

6.     Assessment skills and knowledge of the individual and the situation.

7.     Provide confidentiality and maintain the trust of others.

PARISH/CONGREGATIONAL PARTICIPATION:

1.      Participates in worship, bible study and council meetings

2.      Provides a monthly report for the pastor and congregational ministry.

3.      Sets goals with the Health Ministry team and pastor.

4.      Provides adequate meeting area that is private and comfortable.

5.      Makes available time for the members of the congregation before or after church services. Gives the times available and ways of being contacted.

6.      Works a minimum of 5 hours per month. May volunteer for more if needed.

CONGREGATION SHOULD PROVIDE THE PARISH NURSE:

1.      Office with space to have locked filing cabinet

2.      Telephone with answering machine

3.      Blood pressure cuffs and a stethoscope

4.      Office supplies for printer and bulletin board.

5.      Budget for seminars, educators from the community to come to teach. For classes such as CPR and Emergency Preparedness items.