Hospice Bedside Vigil Volunteer (Vigil Volunteer)

DESCRIPTION

The Vigil Volunteer offers companionship, comfort and presence to patients during the time immediately prior to their death. Support can be provided to patients who have no family to be with them or to provide support and guidance to families and caregivers, helping to relieve the unknown; this may also include staff if the patient resides at a facility. Support is provided in a variety of ways, including being a calm presence, talking and listening to the family/caregivers, or sharing silence.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Vigil Volunteer must have an understanding of Hospice philosophy and be familiar with the dying process, i.e., recognize when death is imminent. He/she will receive additional education/training on anticipatory grief, empathetic presence, reflective listening, and the rights of the dying. He/she must be a strong communicator, be comfortable around death and be able to maintain composure in stressful situations. He/she must also be willing to be called for assignment on short-notice and have some flexibility with scheduling.