We are VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading end-of-life care provider since 1978. Our priority is to care: For our patients, for each other, and for the future.
Hospice Volunteers at VITAS serve in two meaningful capacities, patient care and administrative -- each playing a vital role in supporting our mission of delivering exceptional care to patients and families.
- Administrative Hospice Volunteers play a vital behind-the-scenes role at VITAS, offering clerical & organizational support that helps our teams deliver exceptional care to patients & families.
- Patient Care Hospice Volunteers bring comfort, companionship, & emotional support to patients & families during end-of-life care. They offer light assistance, respite, & a caring presence— sometimes extending that support through gentle bereavement care for loved ones. Volunteers serve in homes, nursing facilities, or Inpatient Hospice Centers, complementing the clinical team with heartfelt, non-medical care tailored to each patient’s needs.
Spiritual Care Volunteers provide essential support by addressing the profound need for meaning, hope, and love at the end of life. Rather than pushing a specific agenda, they act as a "spiritual partner" who honors the patient’s individual faith traditions or personal sense of connection to the world. By offering a non-judgmental and empathetic presence, they help patients find peace, dignity, and a sense of harmony during their final journey.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES, MAY INCLUDE:
- Helping with clerical tasks, data entry, filing, friendly phone calls, newsletter prep, & keeping our supply room organized.
- Dropping off supplies, groceries, or medications to patients & caregivers.
- Taking part in Veteran pinning, community fairs, & VITAS booths to share our mission & connect with others.
- Making proactive & bereavement check-in calls, listen with care, & share any concerns with the team.
- Supporting with other meaningful tasks as they arise.
- Logging/documenting your volunteer activities/hours promptly.
- Greeting visitors with warmth, offer tours, play soothing music, help with light tidying, & alert staff to call lights.
- Participating in team meeting, trainings, & in-services as required.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
SPIRITUAL CARE VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Offering a listening ear and open heart to patients and families as they explore spiritual questions or seek emotional comfort.
- Assisting patients in practicing their own spiritual rituals, such as meditation, prayer, or reading sacred scriptures.
- Honoring and respect the diverse faith traditions, beliefs, and values of every patient without judgment.
- Helping patients discover a sense of essence and dignity through conversation, music, or quiet reflection.
- Working alongside the VITAS interdisciplinary team to ensure the patient's holistic needs are met.
- Completing the VITAS orientation and background check; must be at least 18 years old (bilingual skills are a plus).
ROLE REQUIREMENTS:
- Upholding HIPAA regulations & treating all personal information with respect & confidentiality.
- Staying connected with VITAS staff to collaborate and support care.
- Compassion, empathy, reliability, and patience.
- Being team-oriented & aligned with the VITAS hospice philosophy.
- Comfortable working with diverse cultural & spiritual backgrounds.
- Being dependable, punctual, & consistent in scheduling.
- Completion of applicable VITAS onboarding, volunteer training & ongoing education.
- Practicing infection control measures per VITAS standards, policies, & procedures.
ADDITONAL ROLE RESPONSIBILIES TO PROVIDE PATIENT CARE:
- Providing meaningful companionship & emotional support to patients & caregivers through light homemaking, transportation, & respite care.
- Following the patient’s plan of care, volunteers ensure each interaction is compassionate, purposeful, & tailored to the patient’s assessed needs.
- Relaying meaningful insights & observations to the hospice team & Volunteer Manager regarding patient care as necessary.
- Documenting each care-planned visit with a patient care volunteer note to ensure volunteer support is recognized & contributes to compassionate care.
REPORTS TO:
Reports to Team Manager, Volunteer Services Manager, social work field instructor/supervisor, or designee.
To learn more about volunteering with VITAS, please visit out volunteer page: https://www.vitas.com/volunteer
