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.
Patient Care Volunteers serve as a vital source of companionship for terminally ill patients and a pillar of support for their families. This versatile role is centered on the power of presence, whether they are engaging in a short conversation, running a simple errand, or sitting quietly with a patient. By stepping in to offer their time, they provide "relief care" that allows families to rest, knowing their loved one is in compassionate hands during a critical stage of life.
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.
PATIENT CARE VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Visiting patients in homes, hospitals, or long-term care facilities to provide conversation, emotional support, and a friendly presence.
- Providing much-needed respite for family members, allowing them to take breaks while you stay with the patient.
- Helping the household by running essential errands or providing small, meaningful acts of service.
- Utilizing skills like music, aromatherapy, or simple active listening to enhance the patient's quality of life.
- Completing the VITAS training program to master communication skills, understand family dynamics, and learn the appropriate ways to support those at the end of life.
- Must be 16 and older; requires a background check and completion of free orientation.
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
