Who can volunteer?
What will I be doing?
Where and When?
What training is provided?
How do I get started?
Become a volunteer
Become an OnCare Hospice Volunteer!
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. Volunteers fill roles that range from direct contact with patients to providing clerical and fundraising support for the organization. By volunteering, you can make life just a little easier for our patients and their families.
Who can volunteer?
Hospice volunteers should have a compassionate and kind attitude. Volunteers working directly with patients 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 be non-judgmental and respectful towards patients and their families.
Requirements to volunteer:
- 18 or older (unless volunteering with a parent)
- Completion of a background check for all individuals 16 and older
- Reliable transportation
- Completion of a TB test
- Completion of self-paced training program
What will I be doing?
Volunteer roles are as diverse as our volunteers themselves. We encourage our volunteers to use their gifts and talents to serve our patients and program. Some potential volunteer tasks include:
- Companionship visits – general conversation, watching movies, playing card and board games, knitting together, doing puzzles, painting
- Vigil visits – sitting bedside providing supportive presence to individuals who are in the last hours and days of life
- Marketing and education – Assisting with marketing and education events
- Certified/licensed volunteers – Barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, notaries, bereavement counselors
- Pet companion visits – friendly, healthy, vaccinated pets visiting patients and senior living communities
- Administrative tasks – mailings, compiling resources, data entry
- Errands – delivering supplies, birthday balloons, picking up groceries
- Sunshine mail – writing letters and cards
- Yardwork and snow removal – at private patient homes
- Handyman – small home repairs, removing furniture, hanging photos
Where and when?
Volunteering takes place in many locations depending on the assignment. Locations can include:
- Patient’s homes
- Senior living communities
- OnCare office
- At the volunteer’s home
- At community partner locations
- Indoors and outdoors
There is no minimum number of hours to volunteer, OnCare is happy to utilize whatever you are able to commit. Direct patient care is typically a 1-2 hour commitment per week in order to successfuly build rapport with the patient and their family. Timing is flexible. We can utilize volunteers any time of day or night, during the week, on weekends and on holidays.
What training is provided?
Training is web-based and done at your own pace. After completion of the online training, volunteers will complete visits with the Volunteer Coordinator until they feel comfortable performing visits independently.
Training topics include:
- Hospice goals, services, and philosophy
- Confidentiality and patient rights
- Family dynamics
- Grief and coping
- Role specific education
- Documentation
How Do I Get Started
Our application is online! Click the button below to apply or Contact Us if you have additional questions.