Volunteers that provide emotional and practical support to meet the non-medical needs of patients and their families and offer relief to family members and caregivers are referred to as Direct Care Volunteers. Examples of direct care activities include:
- Helping a patient with light household work (laundry, taking out the trash, dishwashing, etc.) or simple meal-prep
- Reading or playing cards
- Visiting to provide companionship and socialization or to provide a family member and/ or caregiver short periods of relief/ respite
- Conducting “Tuck-In Calls” to ensure patients have supplies, medications, etc.
- Providing bereavement and spiritual support (must have specialized training and meet qualification requirements), which is limited to assistance with memorial services or support groups or assisting the Bereavement Coordinator with administrative duties.
- Providing support to Veterans (We Honor Vets program – must have specialized training)
Prerequisites:
- Complete a Volunteer Application, to include two personal or professional references.
- Complete a background check.
- Urine Drug screen required.
- Recognize the necessity of commitment and confidentiality and sign a statement verifying agreement with this policy.
- Two step PPD required at time of orientation if providing care in the patient’s home or in a facility. Must receive an annual PPD test to screen for Tuberculosis, which is provided at no cost to the volunteer (proof of PPD results within the last 12 months may be accepted for one of the required tests). If unable to take the PPD, must complete TB screening tool for symptom identification at time of orientation and annually.
- Sign a consent/declination for the Hepatitis B vaccination. This vaccination (consisting of a series of 3 shots) is available at no cost to the volunteer if he/she chooses to receive it.
- Have reliable transportation
- Complete Hospice Volunteer training.
