Hospice Volunteer Team Member

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Job description

A Hos p ice v o lu n t ee r w o rks in man y c apa cities. T h e s e incl ud e h e l p ing in t h e o f f i c e , f und - rais i n g , p ro v idi n g tra n s po rt a ti o n f o r p a ti en ts, c o o king o r a ssisting w ith y a rd w o rk, an d p ro v idi n g c a re g iver rel ie f . V o l u n t e e rs a lso a ct in a l i a is o n c a p a city w ith t h e c o m m u n ity to m a in ta i n a n d incre a s e c omm un ity a w a re ne ss a n d s up p o rt o f H o s p ice c a re. M o s t i m po r t an tl y , v o lu n t ee rs a ct a s lo v ing c o m pan i o n s w h o l i s t e n to t h e concerns, anxieties, and joys of the patient and family
Hospice Volunteers are part of the hospice team. Each person must meet the following requirements:

• All staff, both patient-facing and office-based support personnel, are federally mandated to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no later than January 4, 2022. Proof of vaccination will be required upon Job Offer.
• CMS allows for employee exemptions in accordance with Federal law for medical and religious reasons. With an approved exemption, weekly testing will be required at our main office.
• Be receptive to and in agreement with the hospice philosophy and have a desire to volunteer in the hospice program.
• Complete the Hospice Training Program and attend in-services a year after the first year of service. If he or she has completed a similar course elsewhere, a description of the training program and a letter of recommendation from the instructor or agency should be submitted to the coordinator if at all possible, for approval. The Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for orientation to Hospice Care of VNA Policy and Procedure.
• Be able to provide his/her own transportation and have automobile insurance.
• Be in good physical health. If there is a problem, such as a back injury, this will be considered by the Volunteer Coordinator when placing the volunteer so as not to jeopardize the volunteer's health or the patient's care.
• Be in good emotional health. If an emotional problem becomes evident during the training period or in the course of the volunteer's service to Hospice Care of VNA, the coordinator will determine whether the volunteer should continue in the program. A staff member may be consulted in making this decision.
• Made appropriate adjustments to significant losses in one's life. The Volunteer Coordinator will use his/her discretion to waive this condition and will decide whether the volunteer shall be assigned directly to a patient/family or to other volunteer tasks.
• Be free of drug or alcohol addiction. Under no circumstances, visit or call a patient/family under the influence of either. Smoking is offensive and/or medically hazardous to patients/families and is not permitted in the patient's home.
• Have time available in one's personal schedule to provide services to Hospice patients/families when accepting an assignment. This can vary according to patient/family needs and the volunteer's willingness to devote time. Any change in your availability should be reported to your Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible.
• Pass a background check.

Indirect Volunteers: Indirect volunteers provide services not requiring direct contact with the patients and families; for example, telephoning other volunteers, planning or assisting with special events, performing certain clerical duties and/or other work around the office as deemed appropriate by the volunteer coordinator.
Examples of indirect/administrative activities:

• Filing, auditing and copying
• Data Entry of records
• Developing and packaging patient information packets

Direct Volunteers: Direct volunteers work in conjunction with other members of the hospice team and under the supervision of the Volunteer Coordinator and the hospice nurse assigned to the patient. Examples of direct care activities:

• In-home/in-person family time
• Telephone contact
• Art at the bedside for individual patients
• Music at the bedside for individual patients

VNA is celebrating 130 years of service to the Kansas City metro this year and for many more years to come. As a Hospice Volunteer Team Member, you too, may give back to this wonderful area we call home. Won't you join us?