Servant's Hearts Needed for Our Hospice Patients!

Some patients faced with a life-limiting illness, who request a volunteer in many hospice programs, may never receive one. As Volunteer Coordinator for Vital Caring, it is my personal mission to provide one for every patient that desires a volunteer. Vital Caring, in Ocean Springs, MS, is searching for dedicated and compassionate volunteers to contribute to the quality of life for the clients we serve. Any and all skills are needed and we have flexible schedules. We also provide an initial orientation/training, and ongoing training! Working in a healthcare setting, there is strict adherence to confidentiality/HIPAA. Ongoing training is provided.

The ways in which to serve are varied and may include any one of these activities, depending on where you agree to serve:

• Provide companionship to a patient bedside or respite for a family member to run an errand.
• Help to create a Legacy project: a picture portfolio, a narrative, a scrapbook or journal--an accounting of a patient's life--for which the patient will be remembered.
• Mow the lawn or care for their garden.
• Walk the family dog or help care for their pets.
• Assist with administrative tasks at our office.
• Prepare meals, play games, or write letters.
• Assist our Chaplain with bereavement and memorial service events.
• Become a Tuck-In Caller Volunteer to ensure that patients and families have needed supplies for the weekend.

Essential Functions/Skills:

• Ability to communicate in a conversation meant to engage patient/family.
• Must possess effective and empathic listening skills.
• Promote positive, supportive, respectful communication to patient/family and staff members.
• Provide an environment which promotes respect for patient, privacy and property.
• Must be cognizant of the unique position they hold within the patient and family setting.
• Must possess a high degree of empathy and compassion related to end-of-life and Bereavement events.
• Must be comfortable serving diverse groups and cultures.

Expect a rigorous background application process (fingerprints required), physical, TB and drug test, and training required for healthcare settings (Vital Caring incurs costs for physical and testing). But ask yourself, "Would I want anything less for my family member, with a volunteer in my home or with my vulnerable loved ones?"

Did you know that volunteers are required for hospice programs by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and that they play a crucial role as part of a Hospice Care Team? Are you ready to become part of our team? Contact us for more information about how you can make a difference to the patients and families we serve!

Vital Caring is waiting to hear from you!

Jenny Johnstone-Smith, Volunteer Coordinator