Hospice Volunteers

The Hospice Volunteer

St. Joseph Hospice and Palliative Care volunteers are members of a dedicated group who share the desire to enrich the lives of others by giving their time.

Hospice volunteers understand the challenges that patients and their families face when coping with illness.  They provide ongoing support and reassurance, and assist in a broad spectrum of services for the comfort of patients and their families.

Volunteers are an integral part of the hospice team.  As a hospice volunteer you can make use of skills you already have, and develop new ones.  Volunteer opportunities exist in all aspects of hospice, and can be designed to accommodate your schedule.

The Hospice Philosophy

Hospice was founded by volunteers who believed the philosophy of hospice should be based on giving one's self, and talents to others.  Volunteers have made a difference to hospice patients, their families, and the staff of hospice agencies, to their communities, and to one another.

Each area of the Hospice program serves a unique purpose and each of those areas rely on the skill and dedication of volunteers to enhance the goal of hospice:  which is to give excellent care to each patient and family member.  Volunteers are a vital part of the St. Joseph Hospice "team approach" to caring for those entrusted to us.

Hospice volunteers have challenging jobs, which may include family care, nursing home visits, working at a health fair, helping with an agency project, and the list goes on...Each person brings a unique mix of talents and interests to the hospice experience and each volunteer is needed and appreciated by everyone in the hospice community.

Welcome to one of the most life affirming and personally rewarding gifts you will ever receive...HOSPICE VOLUNTEER!

Volunteers Must Be Receptive to All Aspects of the Hospice Concept

Requirements of Volunteers:

• Confidentiality:  All volunteers should realize the importance of observing confidentiality concerning their patients.  There should be no discussion of their cases or mentioning of patient's other than in direct contact with other members of the hospice team.  A signed statement of confidentiality is requested of all volunteers.
• Health:  Good.  If there is a physical problem, it will be at the discretion of the volunteer coordinator  whether or not to assign to a patient family unit, so as not to jeopardize the volunteer's health or care of the patient and family.  Lifting patient's is not a requirement to be an effective volunteer.
• Transportation:  The volunteer must be able to arrange for his/her own transportation.
• Training:  All hospice patient care volunteers must be graduates of the St. Joseph Hospice Volunteer Training Program.
• Minimal Time Volunteered:  Time will be arranged according to individual schedules; however, once this is arranged it is hoped that volunteers will be able to accept the majority of requests for service and be available on short notice should the need arise.
• Dress:  Hospice volunteers do not wear a uniform, but must wear their name tags and are expected to wear clothing suitable for their assignments.
• Identification:  An identification badge will be issued to each volunteer to be worn while visiting his/her hospice patient and while attending hospice functions.
• Alcohol/Drugs:  No volunteer will visit a patient while under the influence of alcohol or non prescription drugs.

Volunteer Job Description

Job Summary:

Men or women who complete an application form are interviewed and participate in the Hospice Training and In-Service Training Sessions.  Those applicants completing this process are eligible to become volunteers.  Exceptions to attendance of training are made for those volunteers wishing to help in the office only, or those who wish to work on Special Projects not requiring direct patient contact.  All volunteers visiting patients and families must complete the training sessions prior to placement with a patient.

Example of Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Direct Patient Services:  Visit patients and or families, provide support and do errands and/or chores.
• Speaker's Bureau:  Address community agencies and health fairs on the benefits of Hospice.
• Office Work:  Assist with filing, mail outs and Special Projects.

Volunteer Training:

Training seminars are held regularly in which all volunteers are taught the hospice philosophy of intertwining the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of death and dying.  Each of you will have the opportunity to discuss topics of concern and will have access to our staff of professionals to assist you in becoming comfortable dealing with families and patients.

Qualifications:

• Must be able to relate emotionally and responsibly to patients, and Hospice employees.
• Teamwork is essential, as is patience and good listening skills.
• Must be open-minded to diverse cultural and religious values and lifestyles.