Patient and Family Support Volunteer (Portsmouth/Suffolk)

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Position Summary

The Volunteer is responsible for modeling the 3 Company values of Compassion, Integrity, and Excellence, and for promoting the Compassus philosophy, using the 6 Pillars of success as the foundation. S/he is responsible for upholding the Code of Ethical Conduct and for promoting positive working relationships within the company, among all departments, and all external stakeholders. The Volunteer is a hospice trained individual from a professional or non-professional background who provides non-medical support services to patients and families, to the professional hospice staff, and to the organization. S/he are essential to the successful operation of the hospice program. S/he may choose the area in which they prefer to function and the hours they are willing to donate. All duties and responsibilities of volunteers require professionalism, sound judgment, and effective communication skills.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Administrative Volunteers: Provide assistance in the hospice office or with hospice activities.
• Bereavement Volunteers: Provide support to bereavement clients under the direction of the Bereavement Coordinator and the Volunteer Coordinator.
• Patient Care Volunteers: Provide visits to support patients and families as outlined in the Plan of Care, including companionship, caregiver relief, running errands and other duties as assigned; Provide Angel/11th hour support to patient and/or families as outlined in the Plan of Care, sitting bedside with actively dying patients.
• All Volunteers: Submit documentation of all contacts with patients/families, or of any volunteer activity, in a timely manner to the Volunteer Coordinator; Participate in the in-service programs to keep informed about current information pertinent to the volunteer.

Education and/or Experience

• Professional, Certified and/or Complementary Therapies Volunteers: Must provide a current license, certification, or proof of training and experience; Minimum of one year of experience; Ability to maintain infection control requirements; Must be at least 18 years of age.

Skills

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, colleagues, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.
• Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces hospice philosophy. Ability to support dying patients and their families utilizing skills learned in volunteer orientation. Maintain confidentiality of patient/family interactions and information. Ability to follow through on patient care assignments in a reliable and dependable manner.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the colleague is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk and hear. The colleague frequently is required to stand, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The colleague is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The colleague must frequently lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a colleague encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. There will be possible exposure to infectious diseases through working with clinical caregivers. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

At Compassus, including all Compassus affiliates, diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Pillars of Success. We are committed to creating a fair work environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, highly valued, and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Providing compassionate care and clinical excellence

The people that make up Hospice Compassus are dedicated to compassionate care, clinical excellence, and providing comfort and support to patients and their families with end-of-life issues. This includes our volunteers. We focus on enhancing the quality of life remaining and use effective symptom control and care that focuses on the whole individual - addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.

At Hospice Compassus, we believe that every life is unique and deserves a meaningful and personal final journey. Perhaps you've experienced the services of hospice in your family, or are looking for a meaningful way to volunteer your time. If you believe that giving your time can enhance the lives of others, we would like you to explore volunteer opportunities with Hospice Compassus.

Hospice Compassus is patient first, always.