Hospice Volunteer

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Patient Care Volunteer works with the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) in providing the optimum quality of life for the patient and family by contributing their time, energy, and talent in or indirect patient/client/family care.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes volunteer duties as assigned by Volunteer Coordinator or other Hospice Interdisciplinary Group members.
• Document time, services, and observations about patient/client and family as required by agency policy, and state and/or federal regulations.
• When assigned to patient/client who resides in a facility, document time, services, and observations about patient/client and family as required by facility, agency policy, and state and/or federal regulations

Other Duties

• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as requested.

• Provide accurate documentation of mileage, time, services and observations to Volunteer Service in a timely manner (at least once/monthly).

Compliance

• Comply strictly to all federal and state regulations, agency policies, rules and regulations concerning compliance.
• Understand that any suspected or actual compliance violations as a result of wrongdoing or misconduct must be reported to the Compliance Officer.

Confidentiality

• Assure all staff/patient information is kept confidential.
• Dispose of all written information, with the exception of the employee's personnel file and the patient's chart properly when no longer needed.
• Information about the patient/client, their condition, and their care will not be discussed with other patient/clients, the public or with other VNA staff in public places. Discussions should be respectful and related to direct patient care.

Volunteer Participation

• Attend and take part in volunteer meetings; participate in Interdisciplinary Group meetings to provide optimum care and to facilitate communication on behalf of the volunteers.
• Attend and take part in applicable in-services. Complete required in-service hours in a timely manner.
• Follow team decisions in achieving agency objectives.
• Foster atmosphere of teamwork and pride in providing agency services.

Work Environment

• Keep work environment clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.
• Keep storage areas free from accumulation of material that constitutes hazards.
• Present a professional personal appearance in accordance with established agency dress code; wear name badge.

Infection Control

• Observe and follow all agency and regulatory guidelines for infection control in accordance with established policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, knowledge, licensure and certification

• Hospice Volunteer training prior to patient/client assignment

Experience

• Basic level knowledge of EMR (electronical medical records) and email functions.
• Previous volunteer experience.
• Experience with end-of-life issues.

• Serves only after he/she has had an adequate opportunity to recover from his/her own serious losses or periods of grieving as determined by the Volunteer Coordinator.

Behavior standards

• Receptive to and in agreement with the Hospice philosophy with a desire to volunteer in the Hospice program.
• Resides in the Hospice service area.
• Available to provide services to Hospice on a regular basis.
• Ability to work independently, to organize and to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to function as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team, committed to the team approach for patient care.
• Ability to represent the agency with honesty, integrity, loyalty, strong work habits and a professional demeanor.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patient/clients, families, physicians, health care providers and other community agencies.
• Ability to understand English, including the ability to read, write and comprehend verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to drive, car available, valid driver's license and auto insurance as required by the state or ability to use private or public transportation to efficiently complete job duties.
• Ability in the areas of communication and interpersonal relations, motivation and the ability to produce a positive work environment for both internal and external customers.
• Ability to accept direction and supervision.
• Ability to accept individuals as they are.
• Ability to articulate feelings about death and loss.

Physical

• Ability to work an 8-hour day and/or over 40 hours per week.
• Walking, bending, kneeling, squatting, lifting, grasping, fine hand coordination in repetitive tasks and motions.
• Ability to work with hands above the head or elbows above the shoulders.
• Ability to work with adequate mobility of back, neck or wrist.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds of weight.

Working Conditions

• Volunteer may be subject to both inside and outside environmental and living conditions.

• Volunteer may be exposed to infectious diseases.
• Must have car available, valid driver's license and auto insurance as required by the state or ability to use public or private transportation to efficiently complete job duties.

• Volunteer may be required to drive from one location to another to provide service.