Hospice Volunteer

Volunteering with Compassus is a rewarding way to enhance the lives of hospice patients and their families. You’ll find companionship with fellow volunteers and joy in serving others. Hospice volunteers are part of a very special team of people who serve patients receiving end-of-life care and their families, working together to preserve dignity and quality of life.

All volunteers receive free training at a local office. In the volunteer orientation, you will learn about the following:

• The goals and philosophy of hospice care
• The physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of death and dying
• Listening and communication skills
• Patient and family rights
• Professional boundaries
• Family relationships
• Grief and loss
• Spiritual and cultural diversity
• Patient confidentiality

After completing training, you can determine the time you are able to commit to service. Whether you give two hours a month or six hours a week, all efforts are appreciated and needed. Compassus will work around your schedule.

Hospice volunteers should have a compassionate and kind attitude toward their patients. They should strive to provide comfort and support for both the patient and their family members. They should be reliable, punctual, and prepared for the tasks assigned to them. Good communication skills are essential in this role. Hospice volunteers should have a good understanding of hospice services, as well as, the hospice philosophy of care, taught during training. Finally, hospice volunteers should be non-judgmental and respectful towards patients and their families.

Additional qualities include:

• Good listener
• Dependable
• Patient
• Flexible
• Empathetic and open
• Willing to serve, whether directly with families or behind the scenes