Hospice Program
Hospice Program
As a hospice volunteer, you'll be an integral part of the hospice team, helping to ensure the comfort of patients and families in our hospice program.
Because of the sensitive nature of this type of volunteer position, hospice volunteers receive special training to:
- understand the unique issues people face when dealing with a life-limiting illness
- provide support and reassurance to patients and their families, and help them sort out options
- be active listeners
- assist in tasks that comfort patients
Hospice volunteer screening and training program
Each prospective volunteer participates in a screening process prior to training, which includes an interview with the hospice volunteer coordinator, reference checks and a background check.
As a prospective volunteer, you'll then complete an extensive training program designed to achieve the following goals:
- teach hospice philosophy and care
- explore personal feelings about death
- understand your volunteer role on the care team
- develop good listening skills
Your role as a hospice volunteer
Once you complete the screening and training program, you'll typically need to be available for two to five hours per week to offer the following services:
- emotional support to patients and families
- relief to family and caregivers
- companionship
- assistance with errands (such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, etc.)
Volunteer support groups and education
In order to support volunteers through their work with hospice, the volunteer program offers bi-monthly support groups where volunteers share experiences, problem-solve, discuss patient care, and give and receive support. The program also offers quarterly education programs on topics helpful to volunteer work.
For more information
See How to apply/inquire.
