Parish Nurse in association with Parish Nursing Ministries UK

In 2024, we established a new parish nursing service to support the holistic health of our existing church members and wider contacts. This service complements, not replicates or replaces, the NHS or other mainstream care provision and operates within a preventative and supportive model of health. It also serves as a bridge between the church and those who cannot get to church.

The success of this new service has exceeded our expectations and has resulted in the church being granted accreditation by the Parish Nursing Ministries UK organisation.

Having successfully got this new service up and running, our current Parish Nurse is, regrettably, moving on to pastures new. As a result, we are now looking for a Christian registered nurse to work with us, and in partnership with Parish Nursing Ministries UK, to build and develop on the strong foundations now in place. As the appointed parish nurse, the candidate will be expected to offer targeted interventions and activities to help people in the local community to improve, maintain or regain wholistic health and wellbeing with an intentional focus on spiritual care. This role may be suitable for job sharing.

Full details on church website

Closing date 25th August. Interviews 2nd September

Main Duties and Responsibilities to Include

Support Holistic Health

· To integrate faith and health through providing a holistic assessment of needs

· To support individuals in dealing with health issues and concerns, through collaboratively planned health advice, support and spiritual care

· To deliver, or facilitate the delivery of, planned health support in the church and/or community locations

· To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the care provision, adjusting the care plans as required

· Where appropriate to support risk assessment to ensure that health needs are being met

· Where appropriate to develop health screening opportunities in the church and for the local community

· Where appropriate to attend local meetings of the health and social care professionals to ensure continuity of care

· To ensure parish nursing activities and advice are evidence based and supported by current research

Health Education

· To monitor the health education priorities through assessment of health needs of the local community

· To provide health education to individuals and groups, aiming to increase understanding of health concerns and to empower people to make changes to minimise the impact of their health concern

· To focus on a variety of educational activities for all ages that explore the relationship between values, attitudes, lifestyle, faith and health.

· To promote health education as an integrated aspect of care delivery

· To develop opportunities for health education activities in church and community events

· To create packages and / or displays of health education materials relevant for the use of congregation, individual or groups, and the public, as needed

Health Advocacy

· To provide an advocacy role that supports people in their access of health services

· To initiate and support referrals to other health professionals and to work alongside other health professionals and health educators as they seek to support those in need of these services

· To work with health, social care, faith organisations and voluntary sector services to support the best solution for holistic care

Referrals

· To liaise with appropriate agencies and authorities in support of individuals’ health needs

· To refer to health, social care, faith organisations and voluntary sector services as appropriate, to access the most suitable resources for holistic care

Support Groups

· To develop appropriate Support Groups, following assessment of needs of individuals and the local community needs

· To source appropriate resources for support groups that enhance holistic care

· To refer to external support groups within the community where appropriate

Management of Volunteer Team

Integration of Faith and Health

Professional Management

· To work collaboratively as a member of the wider Pastoral Team

· To attend staff team meetings and regular one to one meetings with line manager or management team, and contribute to an annual appraisal

· To complete the necessary level of The Church of England Safeguarding Course (Church Leadership Level)

· To work as an autonomous and lone practitioner, ensuring adherence to the church/organisation’s systems for lone workers

· To maintain accurate, systematic and timely record keeping of health interventions in keeping with NMC Record Keeping guidance, ensuring safe storage of documentation

· To keep statistical information required by the church/organisation, any funders and PNMUK

· To manage the given resources of the parish nursing service, including any financial resources, in line with professional standards

· To participate in annual development review with direct line manager

· To adhere to church/organisation policies and NMC requirements

· To promote safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk in all parish nursing activities

· To ensure confidentiality and data protection processes are in place, and policies are always adhered to

· To maintain the Parish Nurse Accreditation Standards, annually reviewing these with the Regional Nurse Coordinator and line manager

· To take appropriate action in regard to any accident or incident occurring to a volunteer, client, staff member or visitor

Personal Development

· To be aware of, and always act in accordance with, the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct

· To maintain current NMC registration

· To work only within the scope of knowledge and competence

· To maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills and undertake education in accordance with individual parish nurse and organisational needs

· To participate in regular spiritual supervision (at least four times a year)

· To attend a PNMUK Community of Practice for professional supervision and support