Calling All College Students: Make a Meaningful Impact as a Hospice Volunteer

Types of Volunteer Roles at Hospices:

• Direct patient support: Spending time with patients, providing companionship, and assisting with non-medical needs.
• Family support: Offering emotional support to family members and helping them cope with the end-of-life process.
• Administrative support: Helping with office tasks, filing, and organizing.
• Bereavement support: Assisting with grief counseling or organizing support groups for those who have lost a loved one.
• Specialized roles: Some hospices may need volunteers with specific skills, such as musicians, massage therapists, or chaplains, to provide additional comfort to patients.

Initial Application

• Fill out an application form: The form will typically ask for basic personal information (name, contact details) as well as your motivations for wanting to volunteer.
• Provide your availability: Many hospices will want to know how much time you can commit—whether that’s a few hours a week or more.

Interview or Orientation Session

• Interview: An interview is often part of the process to get to know you better. It allows the hospice to assess your suitability for the role, and you can ask questions about their expectations.
• Orientation session: Many hospices provide a general orientation for new volunteers. This may include information on the hospice's philosophy of care, privacy regulations (such as HIPAA), and how to handle sensitive situations.

Background Check and References

• Background check: Because hospice work involves being around vulnerable populations, most organizations require volunteers to undergo a criminal background check.
• References: You might need to provide personal or professional references who can vouch for your character and suitability to volunteer in a healthcare setting.

Training

• Hospice-specific training: Volunteers will typically be required to complete training before starting their duties. This training could include topics like:
  • Understanding the end-of-life process.
  • How to communicate effectively with patients and families.
  • Emotional and psychological support skills.
  • Safety and confidentiality guidelines.
  • Infection control and basic healthcare protocols (if applicable).
• Specialized training: Depending on the role (such as providing hands-on care or counseling), additional specialized training may be required.