Give the Gift of Comfort: Join Our Hospice Volunteer Team!

Blue Summit Hospice and Palliative Care Volunteer Role Description

Supervised by: Volunteer Coordinator

Interrelationships: Patients, family, Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) and other health care team members

Role Summary:

At Blue Summit Hospice and Palliative Care, our volunteers are essential to providing compassionate care to patients and their families. Whether you’re looking to directly interact with patients or assist with administrative work there are many ways you can make a meaningful difference.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Companionship: provide companionship through friendly visits, listening, and oJering emotional support.
• Respite Care: give caregivers a break by sitting with the patient for a short time, allowing you to rest or take care of other tasks.
• Non-medical Assistance: help with light tasks such as reading, writing, or assisting with the patient’s favorite hobbies or activities.
• Bereavement support: provide compassionate care and resources to individuals coping with the loss of a loved one.
• Legacy Projects: help patients create memory books, write letters, or make lasting keepsakes for their loved ones.

Responsibilities

• Empathy, active listening skills, patience, and a compassionate demeanor
• Offer emotional support and companionship to patients, while respecting their
• personal boundaries and preferences
• Spend time with patients, offering companionship and emotional support.
• Engage in activities like reading, listening to music, or simply sitting with patients.
• Provide respite care for family members, allowing them to take a break while you
• offer emotional or physical support to their loved one
• Foster a calm and compassionate environment for patients, offering comfort and
• reassurance
• Communicates effectively and appropriately with Volunteer Coordinator each
• patient and their family
• Previous experience with volunteering, grief and/or bereavement preferred but not
• required

Requirements

• Must have a current valid driver’s license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation
• Volunteers must be caring, patient, and able to provide emotional support to patients and their families during a diJicult time
• Volunteers should be punctual, committed, and able to honor their time commitments
• Complete patient visit documentation
• Volunteers must respect patient confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA regulations
• Volunteers should demonstrate understanding and sensitivity, respecting the
• diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and values of patients and families
• Volunteers must undergo a criminal background check to ensure patient safety,
• particularly for those working closely with vulnerable populations
• Personal or professional references may be required to verify suitability for the role.
• Some hospices may require volunteers to undergo health screenings (e.g., TB tests,
• drug test) to ensure they are healthy and can safely interact with patients
• Volunteers are typically required to commit to a specific number of hours per week or month, depending on the role and the hospice’s needs

Training/ Education

• Completion of Hospice-Specific Training: Volunteers must complete an initial hospice training program that covers basic hospice care, patient rights, HIPAA compliance, cultural competency, emotional support, and confidentiality
• Ongoing Education: Volunteers may need to attend periodic workshops, seminars, or refresher courses on hospice care, grief counseling, and other relevant topics
• Role-Specific Training: Depending on the volunteer role (e.g., companionship, respite care, or legacy project), additional training may be required
• Must be able to work independently, make judgments based on assessments and data available and act accordingly
• Must be flexible, innovative and possess good interpersonal skillsI have read the above job description and understand the duties and responsibilities associated with the position. I can perform the essential functions of this position without specific accommodations.