Parish Nurse Requirements

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduate, state-approved School of Nursing.

• Minimum of two years of experience in nursing.

• A Baccalaureate Degree with major in nursing and community health experience is preferred.

• Completion of Trinity's Parish Nurse orientation course or another approved Parish Nurse orientation course

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

• Knowledge of holistic health concepts.

• Effective communication skills.

• Ability to assess individual health needs and plan appropriate interventions.

• Understanding of the church’s role in health care.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certifications

• Current Registered Professional Nurse licensure in the state where Parish is located.

• A current CPR certification.

Specific Activities

Health Promotion

• Blood pressure checks.

• Offer screenings for various health issues.

• Serve as site for other community agencies in providing services such as flu clinics.

• Private consultations regarding health issue.

• Group education such as support groups for grief issues, caregivers, and weight loss.

• Write articles for the bulletin and newsletter.

Referral and Advocacy

• Coordinate plan of care following discharge from hospital/nursing home.

• Contact physician's office for individuals that need assistance.

• Guide persons to use community resources.

• Act as spokesperson when an individual cannot act on his/her own behalf.

• Meet with families to plan care of individual or to counsel members.

Visitation

• Make home, hospital, and nursing home visits to monitor health status, provide emotional support, encourage compliance with medical treatment, and recommend community services.

• Bereavement visits by self or with clergy.

Facilitate Lay Ministries

• Coordinate volunteers to assist with various programs and needs of individuals.

• Work with the Wellness Committee to meet the needs of the congregation.

Interpret the Relationship Between Faith and Health

• Assist family in time of crisis.

• Stay with individual during surgery if family not available.

• Stay with family during family member's surgery.

• Encourage use of prayer, scripture, and devotional materials as aids to healing.

• Incorporate spiritual values into health education.

Communication and Documentation

• Communicate with Clergy, Church Staff, Church Council, Wellness Committee, and Volunteers.

• Communicate schedule and activities with Church Secretary.

• Record pertinent information on the individual's record.

• Record statistical information to be shared with Clergy, Church Council, and Program Staff at Trinity Medical Center.

• Participate in monthly Parish Nurse Sharing Group.