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Parish Health Ministry: A Primer for Parish Involvement
Section Two: The Parish Nurse Within Parish Health Ministry Once a parish decides to add a parish nurse to its health ministry efforts, establishes a formal position description, and develops compensation strategies, it can begin to look at the hiring process. Initially the decision has to be made whether to pursue an arrangement with a local hospital or healthcare agency or to hire the nurse as an employee of the parish. Pursuing a parish nurse in collaboration with a hospital or health-care agency A call to the Community Outreach or Community Services office of the local hospital or healthcare agency in your area is one way to begin. Inquire about the availability of parish nurse services sponsored by the institution. In Milwaukee, staff of the parish nurse preparation programs at Marquette University and Concordia University-Wisconsin may know of hospitals or healthcare facilities that assist parishes in the placement of a parish nurse (see appendix). The hiring process for a parish nurse Once you have decided upon the type of position you want, and the profile of the candidates you hope to attract, the search and hiring process can begin. The parish personnel committee could begin the process, but they may not have the necessary knowledge of nursing and medical practices. One approach that works well is to form a separate ad-hoc search and screen committee for the sole purpose of selecting a parish nurse. Select specific committee members and provide them with information regarding parish nursing and what criteria the candidates must meet. Five to seven committee members is a workable number that allows diversity. If possible, include at least one member who is a nurse. The pastor/parish director's role in this process must be determined. Does he/she participate fully as a member of the search and screen committee, or does the committee do its own work, and then pass on its recommendation to the pastor/parish director? Further assistance on the hiring process (including sample interview questions and advertising information) can be obtained by contacting the Parish and School Personnel Office at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, 414-769-3329 or 800-769-9373, extension 329 in the ten counties of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Because we believe in the dignity of the person, we must embrace every chance to help and to liberate, to heal the wunded world as Jesus taught us. Our hands must be the strong but gentle hands of Christ, reaching out &z mercy and justice, touching individual persons, but aLso touching the social conditions that hinder the wholeness which is God's desire for humanity.
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