Counties Served: Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia.
After completing training, volunteers determine the time they commit to service. Whether you give two hours a month or six hours a week, all efforts are appreciated and needed. Compassus will work around your schedule.
Volunteer Training
All volunteers receive free training at a local office. In the volunteer orientation, you will learn about the following:
- The goals and philosophy of hospice care
- The physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of death and dying
- Listening and communication skills
- Patient and family rights
- Professional boundaries
- Family relationships
- Grief and loss
- Spiritual and cultural diversity
- Patient confidentiality
Time Commitment
After completing training, volunteers determine the time they commit to service. Whether you give two hours a month or six hours a week, all efforts are appreciated and needed. Compassus will work around your schedule.
The Qualities Of An Effective Hospice Volunteer
An effective hospice volunteer should have a compassionate and kind attitude toward their patients. They 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, and hospice volunteers should have a good understanding of hospice services, as well as the hospice philosophy of care, taught during training. Finally, hospice volunteers should be non-judgmental and respectful towards patients and their families.
Additional qualities of an effective hospice volunteer include:
- Good listener
- Dependable
- Patient
- Flexible
- Empathetic and open
- Willing to serve, whether directly with families or behind the scenes
By having these qualities, hospice volunteers can provide quality care to those in need of hospice services, as well as support for their families. Their presence can be a great source of comfort and help to both the patient and family members during this difficult time.
