Hospice VolunteerAt — Providence at Home with Compassus Hospice Orange County

Position Summary

Volunteers are an essential part of the team, offering time, compassion, and support to patients, families, and the organization. These roles are unpaid positions that provide meaningful opportunities to make a difference through companionship, bereavement support, administrative assistance, and end-of-life presence. Volunteers work under the direction of the Volunteer Coordinator and other designated staff.

Tasks:

Position Specific Responsibilities
• Administrative Volunteers: Provide assistance with office functions and hospice-related activities to support daily operations.

• Bereavement Volunteers: Offer emotional support to bereavement clients under the guidance of the Bereavement Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator.

• Patient Care Volunteers: Visit patients and families as outlined in the Plan of Care, offering companionship, caregiver relief, errands, and other supportive tasks. Provide Angel/11th-hour support by sitting bedside with actively dying patients, as directed in the Plan of Care.

• All Volunteers: Submit timely documentation of all patient and family contacts or volunteer activities to the Volunteer Coordinator. Participate in in-service programs and ongoing education to remain informed about information pertinent to the volunteer role.

Training:

Education and/or Experience
Professional, Certified and/or Complementary Therapies Volunteers: Must provide a current license, certification, or proof of training and experience. Minimum of one (1) year of experience required. Ability to maintain infection control requirements. Must be at least 18 years of age.

Skills
Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, team members, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.

Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces integrated healthcare at home philosophy. Ability to support dying patients and their families utilizing skills learned in volunteer orientation. Maintain confidentiality of patient/family interactions and information. Ability to follow through on patient care assignments in a reliable manner.

Learning Outcome:

1. Understanding Hospice Philosophy and Goals
o Volunteers should grasp the principles of hospice care, including its focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life at the end of life.
2. Roles and Responsibilities
o Clear understanding of what hospice volunteers can and cannot do, including boundaries and scope of practice.
4. Communication Skills
o Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families, including active listening and empathy.
5. Cultural Competence
o Respect for cultural, spiritual, and personal differences in end-of-life care.
6. Emergency Preparedness
o Knowledge of basic safety protocols, emergency procedures, and infection control.
o Strategies for managing personal emotions and supporting families through bereavement.
8. Empathy and Compassion
o Demonstrating a caring presence and emotional support for patients and families.
9. Documentation and Reporting
o Ability to maintain accurate records and communicate effectively with the hospice team