Minister of Health/Parish Nurse Position Description
This staff person, under the supervision of the minister and in cooperation with other staff, will assume a major responsibility in the caring ministry and health and welfare support for the members of the congregation through the roles, functions and responsibilities described below.
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Current license to practice professional nursing in Iowa
- Two to three years nursing experience, including at least one in community health nursing
Personal Characteristics related to the Health Ministry Position
A caring Christian, dedicated to the Church's mission of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all people through word and deed and who has
- knowledge of and commitment to the health-healing ministry of the church
- a wholistic health philosophy
- interpersonal relationship skills
- an understanding of and skill in using teaching/learning techniques
- knowledge of the official and voluntary human service and health care resources in the community
Roles and functions of the health minister
- Facilitator(helping members in the caring ministry extednded one to another)
- recruits and trains registered nurse members of the church to be available on a volunteer basis to members with special needs that require nursing skills (e.g. recent hospitalization, rehabilitation instruction, blood pressure check, uncertainties about health problems, assistance in selection of a care facility for a loved one etc.)
- serves as a staff person, coordinator, adviser and support person for the Evangelism Sub-Committee for Special Needs, recruiting members to visit St. Mark's members with special needs, and providing the volunteers as needed with information that will be useful to them in making these visits-(e.g. listening skills, available resources, what questions to ask etc.)
- interprets and informs other health care providers in the community about the services of the St. Mark's Health Ministry and coordinates the services with those of other providers.
- Health Counselor
- counsels and advises members and others (e.g. entering the health care system, answering questions about medications, management of current health problems, assisting with health care plans for persons getting ready to leave the hospital etc.)
- serves as a referral agent and health consumer advocate
- Health Educator
- presents health related talks to any group (pre-school to adult) within the Church
- provides current health literature
- helps individuals and groups with the understanding of the relation of lifestyles, personal health habits, attitudes, faith and well-being.
Responsibilities
- Seeks advice and guidance from the Pastor and the Ministry of Health Committee
- Coordinates activities with other staff and organizations within the Church
- plays visible role in the life and activities of the congregation - attends Sunday worship services and participates in a reasonable number of other worship and social activities
- Establishes, maintains and publishes a schedule for contact availibility by telephone and for personal counseling
- Establishes a confidential record system to document services provided personally, and by both groups of volunteers. The system should also provide statistical information for evaluation purposes. (Record keeping systems to be approved by the Health Ministry Committee)
- Works with the program coordinator in developing educational programs in health related areas
- Seeks opportunities for learning experiences in the health ministry field, separately, or as a part of the annual Iowa professional continuing education requirement
- Assists the Health Ministry Committee in planning for and in the evaluation of the pilot/demonstration project
- As the program develops, and in accordance with St. Mark's central purpose statement ("reaches out through its shared faith and caring to its members, the local community and beyond") will study possibilities and opportunities for an outreach program of the Health Ministry.
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