Hospice Volunteer

General Purpose:

The direct service (patient-care) volunteer provides patient care and support services according to his/her experience and training and in compliance with organization policies and the volunteer careplan.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as an integral member of the hospice interdisciplinary group (IDG) amid various settings: home care; respite; inpatient; and/or bereavement
• Participates in volunteer general orientation and additional training as appropriate to assigned duties
• Participates in volunteer educational in-services
• Serves the patient and family/caregiver under guidance of the Volunteer Coordinator and Registered Nurse (RN)
• Serves as substitute family/caregiver in the patient’s personal setting performing activities that the volunteer has been prepared for and has agreed to perform
• Provides input into the IDG plan of care as appropriate
• Maintains patient/family privacy and confidentiality
• Completes assignments as requested and assigned
• Documents volunteer services accurately and appropriately
• Maintains open communication and reports regularly to the Volunteer Coordinator or designee
• May have access to personal health information (PHI) necessary to fulfill the above duties and responsibilities.  Access to use and ability to disclose PHI is further defined by each organization/department.

Possible Duties:

• Patient companionship/support
• Patient caregiver companionship/support
• Respite relief for patient caregiver
• Light housekeeping
• Outside maintenance/chores
• Shopping/errands
• Laundry
• Meal preparation
• Bereavement telephone calls
• Bereavement companionship visits
• Bereavement support group assistance
• Funeral/viewing
• Bereavement memorial service assistance

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• Successful completion of the provided hospice’s volunteer training and orientation program
• Previous volunteer experience may be helpful

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required:

• Desire to be of service to others
• Empathy for the needs of the ill, injured, frail and the impaired
• Ability to work as a team member
• Experience, knowledge or willingness to learn in area being assigned
• Meets all health requirements set by Interim HealthCare Hospice, if applicable
• Able to provide proof of valid driver’s license, if applicable
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good organizational skills
• Able to hear, speak, and write and read in English in a manner understood by most people
• Able to read ten (10) point or larger type
• Able to effectively handle multiple tasks or functions
• Able to read and follow written instructions and document services provided

Working Conditions & Physical Effort: 

• Able to constantly travel locally from assignment to assignment
• Able to constantly stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, kneel and reach freely
• Able to constantly grasp with thumb in opposition to fingers of palm, i.e. manipulate pen, knobs or objects
• Able to frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds in order to carry out daily job functions and related activities that may be required.