Hospice Volunteer, Paw Pals

We are VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading end-of-life care provider since 1978. Our priority is to care: For our patients, for each other, and for the future.

Hospice Volunteers at VITAS serve in two meaningful capacities, patient care and administrative -- each playing a vital role in supporting our mission of delivering exceptional care to patients and families.

• Administrative Hospice Volunteers play a vital behind-the-scenes role at VITAS, offering clerical & organizational support that helps our teams deliver exceptional care to patients & families.
• Patient Care Hospice Volunteers bring comfort, companionship, & emotional support to patients & families during end-of-life care. They offer light assistance, respite, & a caring presence— sometimes extending that support through gentle bereavement care for loved ones. Volunteers serve in homes, nursing facilities, or Inpatient Hospice Centers, complementing the clinical team with heartfelt, non-medical care tailored to each patient’s needs.

Paw Pals Volunteers with their certified pets provide a unique form of therapy that offers unconditional love and emotional relief to hospice patients. By participating in the Paw Pals™ program, they help break through the isolation of illness, rekindle fond memories of past pets, and encourage gentle activity and social interaction. This role is perfect for those who want to share the joyful, calming presence of their animal companion to brighten the days of patients and their families.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES, MAY INCLUDE:

• Helping with clerical tasks, data entry, filing, friendly phone calls, newsletter prep, & keeping our supply room organized.
• Dropping off supplies, groceries, or medications to patients & caregivers.
• Taking part in Veteran pinning, community fairs, & VITAS booths to share our mission & connect with others.
• Making proactive & bereavement check-in calls, listen with care, & share any concerns with the team.
• Supporting with other meaningful tasks as they arise.
• Logging/documenting your volunteer activities/hours promptly.
• Greeting visitors with warmth, offer tours, play soothing music, help with light tidying, & alert staff to call lights.
• Participating in team meeting, trainings, & in-services as required.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

PAW PALS VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducting weekly visits (typically 1–2 hours) with the pet in various settings to provide comfort and companionship.
• Using the pet’s presence to facilitate "animal therapy," helping patients express feelings and memories through interaction.
• Verifying that the pet is at least one year old, well-groomed, well-behaved, and have up-to-date health records.
• Ensuring a safe and calming environment for everyone involved.
• Completing the VITAS orientation and Paw Pals training to learn the specific protocols for hospice pet visits.
• Must be at least 18 years old and pass a mandatory background check.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Upholding HIPAA regulations & treating all personal information with respect & confidentiality.
• Staying connected with VITAS staff to collaborate and support care.
• Compassion, empathy, reliability, and patience.
• Being team-oriented & aligned with the VITAS hospice philosophy.
• Comfortable working with diverse cultural & spiritual backgrounds.
• Being dependable, punctual, & consistent in scheduling.
• Completion of applicable VITAS onboarding, volunteer training & ongoing education.
• Practicing infection control measures per VITAS standards, policies, & procedures.

ADDITONAL ROLE RESPONSIBILIES TO PROVIDE PATIENT CARE:

• Providing meaningful companionship & emotional support to patients & caregivers through light homemaking, transportation, & respite care.
• Following the patient’s plan of care, volunteers ensure each interaction is compassionate, purposeful, & tailored to the patient’s assessed needs.
• Relaying meaningful insights & observations to the hospice team & Volunteer Manager regarding patient care as necessary.
• Documenting each care-planned visit with a patient care volunteer note to ensure volunteer support is recognized & contributes to compassionate care.

REPORTS TO:

Reports to Team Manager, Volunteer Services Manager, social work field instructor/supervisor, or designee.

To learn more about volunteering with VITAS, please visit out volunteer page: https://www.vitas.com/volunteer