Hospice Volunteer

ROLE SUMMARY

Provides volunteer support to the patient/caregivers in conjunction with the Hospice team.

QUALIFICATIONS

Certificate of volunteer training or willingness to be trained. Must reside in the hospice service area.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Has professional interpersonal communication, a healthy adjustment to personal illness/loss/death, ability to unconditionally accept people as they are, and ability to serve as an active team member. Has professional demeanor, maturity, empathy, flexibility, sense of humor, a willingness to help others, and agreement with hospice philosophy. Current Massachusetts driver’s license and car insurance if you drive automobile for volunteering with patients. Reliable transportation. Ability to operate required equipment. Ability to perform proper body mechanics.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to sit/stationary standing (for prolonged periods of time), reach (extension and overhead), push/pull up to 50 lbs, ability to be mobile (in office, from office or home, from site to site), twist/turn/pivot, grasp, lift/carry up to 50 lbs., and speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversational distance, on the telephone, or addressing groups.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to collect and interpret data, reason, establish facts, make valid judgments and decisions, evaluate, define problems, draw valid conclusions.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

Ability to talk and hear (in person/on the telephone) and with reasonable vision (for close work/to read printed materials/long distance).

ASSOCIATED ENVIORNMENTAL FACTORS

Possible exposure to fumes, dust, blood and other body fluids, chemicals/cleansers, smoke (cigarette/cigar/pipe) smells. and household pets

RESPONSIBILITIES

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Visit patients/caregivers in their home environment, in the hospital, or in a nursing facility to offer conversation, respite, and assistance according to schedule and/or as needed.
• Provides companionship in accordance with the needs of the client and family.
• Performs selected tasks i.e., letter writing, homemaking chores (light cooking, housekeeping, laundry) as requested.
• Provides respite care for brief periods of time as requested.
• Submits service hours on appropriate forms.
• Indicates essential functions of this position.

CORPORATE

• Complies with all State and Federal hospice regulations.
• Assumes personal responsibility of keeping informed of current changes and trends affecting one’s personal field.
• Completes assignments as directed.
• Maintains strict confidentiality in dealing with patient, caregivers, and agency information.
• Maintains a neat, appropriate, and professional appearance.
• Attends in-services and meetings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Please note this is not an exhaustive listing and may be supplemented, as necessary.