Impacting Peaceful Life Closures! Volunteer with Hospice Today

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No medical experience needed. These are not internships, yet volunteer opportunities. AM I QUALIFIED TO BE A VOLUNTEER? Are you a good listener? Are you dependable? Do you have a desire to help others? If so, you can be a hospice volunteer. No medical experience is required. Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, professions, and age groups. Come and learn and serve. DIRECT CARE OPPORTUNITIES The Direct Care Volunteer serves as an additional support and comfort to patients and families dealing with a terminal illness and end-of-life issues. Support is provided in a variety of ways, including the provision of companionship and socialization to patients, or offering respite to stressed caregivers. There are many creative ways to serve including engaging in reading, coloring, art, singing and music. Direct Care Volunteers may also make tuck in calls to patients and families. All care provided by the Direct Care Volunteer is outlined in the Volunteer Care Plan and agreed upon by the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG). (Must be at least 18years of age.) Additional requirements below. PET THERAPY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES The Pet Therapy Volunteer serves as an additional support to patients, families and caregivers by making friendly visits with his/ her certified therapy animal. Visits may occur in the patient’s home or in a professional care setting (subject to the rules of the facility). Both the Volunteer and the certified therapy animal provide comfort, companionship and a welcome distraction from the illness. All care provided by the Pet Therapy Volunteer is outlined in the Volunteer Care Plan and agreed upon by the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG). PET: The majority of animals serving in this capacity will be a dog. The dog must be certified/ registered by an American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized therapy dog organization (http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/organizations/). Other certified/ registered therapy animals will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. All required vaccinations must be up to date and copies of the vaccinations/ medical evaluation must be maintained in the Volunteer’s Personnel File; required vaccines include Rabies and Distemper. A copy of the current certification/ registration, in addition to the liability insurance coverage, must also be maintained QUALIFICATIONS FOR DIRECT CARE VOLUNTEERS 1. Be at least 18 years of age 2. Provide the following paperwork: a. Completed Volunteer Application b. 2 References c. Signed Code of Conduct Attestation Statement d. Signed Permission for Background Check e. Signed Permission for Drug Screen f. Completed New Hire Communicable Disease/Tuberculosis/Health Screening Questionnaire form and additional state requirements, as required g. *Tuberculin Test Administration Form (unless exempt from TB testing) h. *Completed Hepatitis B Form NOTE: * TB skin test and Hepatitis B forms are not required for volunteers only performing tuck-in calls 3. Have satisfactory references from employers and/ or professional peers 4. Have a satisfactory criminal background check (as required by state) 5. Successfully complete the Direct Care Volunteer orientation 6. Veteran Volunteers must successfully complete additional orientation specific to this role. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PET THERAPY VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEER: The Pet Therapy Volunteer must have an understanding of Hospice Philosophy and possess the ability to actively listen and communicative compassionately with patients, families and caregivers. He/ she must always accompany the certified therapy animal on visits; it is not acceptable for another handler to accompany the animal. He/ she must have access to reliable transportation. Additionally, he/ she must: 1. Be at least 18 years of age 2. Satisfactorily complete all requirements to serve as a Direct Care Volunteer (a copy of the Direct Care Volunteer Job Description must be signed and maintained in the Volunteer Personnel File in addition to the Pet Therapy Volunteer Job Description) 3. Successfully complete the Direct Care Volunteer Orientation RESPONSBILITIES 1. Provide comfort and support, in conjunction with therapy animal, to assigned patients and families in accordance with the Volunteer Care Plan 2. Provide animal therapy visits to all patients and families in all care settings (based on facility guidelines and policies) 3. Participate in Volunteer support or peer groups and/ or training with other Volunteers