Volunteer with Signature Hospice
Great Reasons to Volunteer
- Like other staff, you will do real work with patients and the families of those who are terminally ill.
- You will work in the real world and gain valuable experience.
- You will get a real education, obtaining knowledge and skills that will serve you in other professions.
- You will be in a real working environment.
- You can make a real difference in the lives of other people.
- You will work with a real and dedicated group of people who care about their patients and their jobs, and who have a commitment to excellence.
- You will work with a group who values real teamwork and collaboration that is functional and safe.
Types of Volunteer Opportunities
There are many opportunities, depending on whether you prefer to work directly with patients and their families or work as support staff in the office. Talk with our Volunteer Coordinator to match your interests with our needs. Signature Hospice can also tailor volunteer jobs. Volunteer duties may include:
- Working directly with terminally ill patients in hospice;
- Spending time with patients as a friendly visitor;
- Helping families cope with a terminally ill loved one;
- Providing a vast variety of services for the patient and family;
- Providing support services in the office or on special projects; and/or
- Serving as a vigil volunteer during the last hours of the patient’s life.
Expectations of Our Volunteers
- Be dedicated to the Mission, Values and Care Commitments of Signature Hospice; embrace and demonstrate The Little Things That Make A Big Difference.
- Complete Signature Hospice training program
- Have good interpersonal skills and maintain confidentiality
- Believe that everything we do can and will make a difference
- Be compassionate, committed and caring
- Be warm, empathic and reliable
- Be willing to learn and to ask questions
- Be respectful to patients and to staff
- Be able to work with those in hospice, their families and Signature Hospice staff
- Complete time logs and reports
Our Commitment to Our Volunteers
- Training and education necessary to help terminally ill patients and their families
- Mutual support and trust
- Open lines of communication
- Available to answer your questions and listen to your concerns
- Opportunities for growth, an increase in knowledge, and a broadening of experience
- A chance to work with a team that believes that caring for a terminal patient is a sacred and honored opportunity to help people live life as fully as possible, while embracing the demands of terminal illness
- Letters of recommendation
- Recognition of your work
What You'll Learn
- Concepts of hospice and palliative care
- Awareness and sensitivity
- Understanding of terminal illness and death, as faced by patients and their families
- Knowledge of patient and family grief issues
- Understanding of bereavement issues
- Knowledge in providing physical, psycho-social and spiritual support
- Ways to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team
- Understanding of a “Pace and Lead” management approach
- Knowing the value of innovation as a means to enhance quality of care
- New skills
For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Michele Fuchs.
If you are interested in volunteering for the No One Dies Alone Program please contact Jim Pfeifer.
