TIME AND COMPASSION FOR SERVING OTHERS
Hospice Volunteers
We invite you to join us in serving the community with your time and compassion for serving others. Volunteers are an important part of the hospice interdisciplinary care team providing companionship and emotional support. Cardinal Hospice Care supports the community volunteers by providing orientation, training, and education to ensure each volunteer has hospice-specific knowledge, skills, and tools to be an effective and important part hospice care team.
As a hospice volunteer, you can donate as much or as little of your time as you desire.
ORIENTATION
TRAINING
EDUCATION
Common Qualities of Cardinal Hospice Care Volunteers
Cardinal Hospice Care volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, have varying levels of education, and come equipped with unique life experiences. While each volunteer is unique, there are several commonalities among effective hospice volunteers:
- A sincere and genuine desire to help others
- Respect and appreciation for different cultures, ways of life and religious views
- The ability to listen and be comfortable in silence
- Keen understanding of personal limits
- Consistent time commitment (number of hours per week)
Steps to Become a Volunteer
1.
Complete a comprehensive volunteer application
2.
Interview in person with our Coordinator of Volunteers
3.
Successfully complete and pass the following:
- Background check
- TB screening
- Completion of comprehensive hospice volunteer training program
Some of the Opportunities Available for Cardinal Hospice Care Volunteers Include:
- SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS: Visiting, reading, taking walks, writing letters, playing music
- RESPITE AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILY MEMBERS: Assist with running errands or light household maintenance; stay with patients so family members can get a much-needed rest or take care of necessary errands, exercise, or simply have some time alone
- BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS: Work closely with the hospice’s bereavement staff. Duties may include assisting a support group facilitator, serving refreshments, or helping with mailings to families
- ADMINISTRATIVE WORK: A volunteer with clerical skills can serve a hospice by helping in the office with administrative duties
- VIGIL VOLUNTEERS: Keeping vigil with patients in their final hours
- VETERAN VOLUNTEERS: Providing special veteran volunteer support to patients who are veteran