Patient Support Volunteer

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Opportunities in and around Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Roseville, Folsom , El Dorado Hills and Rancho Cordova

Compassionate caring individuals are needed to provide companionship and relief to hospice patients and their families. Visiting with a patient can include reading, playing music, walking, assisting with activities, getting to know the patient, or just sitting by their bedside so they aren't alone. Talking with them and learning their life stories, documenting the stories and providing to family members, is another activity that you could be participating in.

Visits can be made when the time works for you and the facility or patient. You will be matched with a patient/family that is within an acceptable distance from your home area.

You will be required to undergo a background check, and a two step TB test (at no cost to you). State mandated hospice training(on-line) is required and provided free.

General description:

• Serves as a member of the hospice team in meeting the needs of patients and families in the hospice program following a Plan of Care developed through collaboration by the hospice team, patient and caregivers. Volunteer services may include supportive patient/family care, clerical duties, or bereavement support.
• Serves under the direction/supervision of the Hospice Volunteer Services Supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Completion of 8 hours of State mandated volunteer training through Hospice Relias Volunteer Training, End-of-Life Specialist certification or equivalent to be assessed and determined by the Dignity Health Hospice Volunteer Services Supervisor. Training is free of charge.
• Meeting all requirements of Dignity Health Employee Health screening and clearance for duty, including but not limited to initial health appraisal, vaccinations, and annual PPD testing.
• Compliance with maintaining these requirements.
• Current California Drivers License or ID
• Proof of auto insurance
• Availability of operating motor vehicle

Knowledge of:

• Hospice care and philosophy
• Principles of death and dying
• Effective communication skills
• Role of the volunteer in hospice program
• Principles of grief and bereavement

Accountabilities and Job-Related Competencies:

• Follows all Dignity Health Policies and Procedures
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information
• Communicates effectively with terminally ill patients/families
• Works as a member of the hospice team and reports urgent needs of the patient and family to the appropriate team members.
• Keeps hospice volunteer services supervisor informed of patient/family status as appropriate
• Able to take direction from the hospice team
• Responds appropriately to unexpected occurrences or emergencies with patients/families
• Communicates with appropriate staff any concerns re: patient/family
• Maintains appropriate personal boundaries in the relationship with the patient, family and hospice team
• Maintain appropriate and timely documentation
• Ability to provide respectful care to patients and families with diverse backgrounds, race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and culture
• Keeps established time commitment to the patients and notifies supervisor if unable or if time commitment changes
• Willingness to learn about different cultures
• As appropriate, provides companionship, support, and respite care to terminally ill patients and their families
• Maintain all mandatory training and in service requirements
• Willingness to make a one year commitment of one hundred volunteer hours (2 hours per week)
• Attend a minimum of 3 hospice volunteer meetings per year
• Adheres to safety standards and practices universal precautions