THE VOLUNTEER'S ROLE
Volunteers
play an important role at Hope Hospice. Volunteers are valued members of the
hospice team. Our volunteers are men and women, young and old, from
We offer a
number of volunteer opportunities: Patient Companion, Bereavement, Office,
Fund-raising, and Community Relations. Under the direction of our Volunteer
Coordinator, volunteers undergo pre-assignment screening, training and
orientation to the hospice philosophy of care.
VOLUNTEERS
PROVIDE
- PATIENT COMPANION SERVICE: Volunteers visit
patients in their homes. They provide short relief periods for the family
each week.
- BEREAVEMENT SERVICES: A group of specially
trained volunteers maintain contact with hospice families, either through
personal visits or regularly scheduled phone calls, as the grieving period
begins.
- OFFICE SERVICES: These volunteers give assistance
in the Hope Hospice office, providing much needed clerical and/or computer
help.
- FUND-RAISING SERVICES: Our fund-raisers work on
various projects throughout the year to raise funds for Hope Hospice
services.
- COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICES: These are members
of our Speakers Bureau, presenting hospice information to various schools,
local clubs, and organizations.
SHARE
YOUR TALENTS
The
criteria for placement of volunteers is based on the qualities and experiences
necessary to perform the defined duties of his or her specific role:
- Qualities of warmth and compassion
- Non-judgmental attitudes
- Ease of communication, clear articulation
- Willingness to commit a program-defined minimum
of time
- Commitment to hospice goals, philosophy and
service model
- Should not be in an active grieving period
(usually after a period of less than one year after the death of an
immediate family member or significant other).
QUESTIONS
TO DETERMINE PLACEMENT FOR VOLUNTEERS
1. What
are your areas of interest? (Direct service, office support, transportation, or
other.)
2. Are you
willing to make a commitment about the amount of time you will serve at Hope
Hospice? (After considering other obligations, how much time can you offer?)
3. What is
your present health status? Do you enjoy good health? Are there any chronic
conditions or physical limitations that might hinder job performance? Have you
ever had cancer of other potentially life-threatening condition? If so how
might this affect your reaction to hospice work and patient situations?
4. What is
your grieving experience? Who? When? Your extent of involvement? Are there any
anticipated bereavements?
5. What
are your client type preferences? (ie., related to age, sex, religion,
geographic location, ethnic background, educational, or socioeconomic levels.)
6. What
personal qualities defines what specific volunteer job you would like to do?
Will you be a volunteer? You may volunteer your
services by calling Hope Hospice at
·
E-mail:
hospice@rtcol.com