CareChoices Hospice

Organization Description

CareChoices provides excellent end of life palliative care to terminally ill patients who qualify for hospice under Medicare guidelines (life expectancy of 6 months or less). Support for the patient's family and loved ones as well as bereavement care after death are key components of the service we provide. Our mission statement is "Excellence in Every Encounter" as we truly understand that each interaction we have with a patient or their loved ones may be the last interaction we have.

Program Information

Opportunity Title: Hospice Intern

Opportunity Summary: Carechoices Hospice the internship provides opportunities for patient interaction, office support, and interacting with bereaved families. The internship experience is designed to provide the intern with a broad understanding of both the patient-facing and administrative sides of hospice work and allow them to expand their skills in dealing with people at the end of their lives as well as supporting their loved ones.

By the end of this opportunity, students will have learned and gained active listening skills, understanding of a healthy grieving process, the normal process of natural death, an understanding of the logistics and processes of providing care end of life care, and office skills relevant to a healthcare environment.

The following tasks/activities students would be doing for this opportunity:

  • Analyze and/or study data
  • Assist a professional
  • Deliver and/or package goods
  • Observe a professional and/or client
  • Participate in a workshop, training, or orientation
  • Provide general office administration (e.g. filing, data entry, processing forms, intra-office communication, meeting preparation, returning phone calls)
  • Support or assist with an event, program, or community project

What training will be provided to students to perform these responsibilities? Mandatory orientation to hospice care that covers the history of hospice, hospice regulations, HIPAA, end of life, patient visit procedures and documentation as well as individual training for tasks as needed including office tasks and grief support.

How will you provide ongoing support and supervision to students? Students are always able to phone or email the Manager of Volunteer and Bereavement Services as well as the Volunteer Coordinator. Students meet either in person or by phone at least every two weeks to go over progress on assigned tasks.

Where will this opportunity take place? Hybrid - Combination of on-site and remote

Please provide your organizations COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocol: We have mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies that follow the latest state and federal guidelines. We provide appropriate PPE for any interactions with patients or their families in the field, We screen all patients and any facilities where they may live for COVID-19 daily and we do NOT send interns to see any patients or to any facilities that have COVID-19 exposure. We do not allow patients or families to visit the office. We practice social distancing and masking in the office. In the event of a surge (like the current Omicron surge we suspend in-person patient contact for interns and allow them to do some hours from home or virtually.

Please indicate the number of hours and duration a student would need to commit for this opportunity: 15 hours per week

Are students responsible for any fees as part of this opportunity? No Fees will be incurred by students

Are students receiving any form of compensation for this opportunity? No, unpaid. 

Provide any additional information for students in regards to the application process (e.g., supplemental questions, interview and/or resume):  Please submit a resume, there will be a phone interview and orientation and training will be provided if you are selected for the internship.

Health & Safety

n order to create a positive, safe and valuable out-of-classroom learning experience, CSU faculty, students, college staff and community partners must work together as a team to make the most of the experience and manage the unique risks that exist. There is insurance available to protect CSU as well as the learning site, if the proper agreement is in place. Students can avoid unsafe situations when everyone is familiar with the placement details and a proper risk assessment has been completed. This risk assessment is not intended to prohibit educational experiences that may seem “too risky,” but rather to find ways to reduce the amount of risk and liability exposure, so that the off-campus learning opportunity is a safe, healthful and fulfilling educational experience for all parties involved. This section should be completed by someone familiar with any potential risks.

Please select all options that apply.

  • Background Check (e.g. fingerprinting/livescan, driving record)
  • Computer Literacy
  • Driver's License
  • Health Check/Screening (e.g. temperature screening, COVID-19 test)
  • Must be 18 or older
  • TB Test
  • Vaccinations

Is there anything else not covered that might impact the safety and well-being of your clients and/or university participants?

Drug screening, Orientation, no photography or videos of patients (covered in orientation)

Will students receive safety training pertaining to potential risks associated with their duties? Yes

Drug screening, Orientation, no photography or videos of patients (covered in orientation)
Additional requirements and/or considerations
  • Background Check (e.g. fingerprinting/livescan, driving record)
  • Computer Literacy
  • Driver's License
  • Health Check/Screening (e.g. temperature screening, COVID-19 test)
  • Must be 18 or older
  • TB Test
  • Vaccinations
Address 
20 Corporate Park, Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92606
United States
General Phone 
(949) 777-8600
Student Contact 
Name
Janet Weller
Job Title
Manager of Volunteer and Bereavement Services
Phone
(949) 777-8600
Email
Janet.Weller@carechoices.net
Program(s) 
Internship
Organization type 
Healthcare Facility or Network (Private/For-profit)
Focus Population(s)
Adults, Families, Non-specific/any population
Focus Area(s)
Health & Medicine
Hours of operation 

We provide care to patients 24/7, student interns are expected to work some hours during our office hours (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm) and may additionally work some hours on the weekends for visiting patients and assisting with bereavement events.

Maximum students 
1