Requirements
Must complete necessary application, background check, TB test and drug screening. Volunteers must be 18 years or older to volunteer directly with patients.
Qualifications
Patience, compassion, flexibility and good active listening skills are needed. Volunteers need to be able to establish and maintain boundaries. The volunteer must be able to put the patient’s interests first. Being well grounded and possessing good common sense are important.
Time Requirement
Generally, assignments are made once a week for 2-4 hours. Visits may be shorter for patients in nursing homes, those with dementia, or those who are not fully conscious.
Risks
Driving and sharing close personal space with patient. Standard precautions should be practiced whenever there is a risk of infection. You will be notified of specific precautions when necessary. Close relationships can result, and the volunteer must be able to effectively cope with death and grief. Grief counseling is available if needed.
Benefits
As a member of our patient care team, you will bring joy to our patients and families through meaningful connection. The cyclical nature of giving and receiving fuels our hospice community. Through intentional and collaborative planning, we create an experience that simulates activities and environments our patients enjoy. As you give your time to listen to life stories, share hobbies and reflectively interact as our patients share hopes and fears they face every day, you will participate alongside your patient as they live life in the transition. You will bring calm reassurance that what matters most is not how much time we have, it is how we live each present moment.
All volunteers maintain the privacy and security of all confidential and protected health information. Uses and discloses only that information which is necessary to perform the function of the job.
