What It Takes To Be A Hospice Volunteer

Hospice Client Volunteers
Courtesy of Victoria Hospice, Victoria, B.C.

Hospice volunteers are important members of the healthcare team. They work with medical and nursing professionals to ease suffering and improve the quality of living and dying. If you think you are suited to volunteering with Hospice, we encourage you to fill out our application form and send it to us. As a Hospice client volunteer ….

• You have an interest in the Hospice concept and a desire to help others through the dying and grieving experience.

• You have some awareness as to what is drawing you to Hospice work, and are willing to explore this in depth.

• You are sensitive to the special needs of dying patients and their families, and have chosen this work to support them.

• You are aware of the losses you have experienced, and your way of grieving, and have a sense of perspective about life and death, loss and grief.

• If you have experienced a significant personal loss within the past year, one which you are still actively grieving, please consider carefully your present ability to take on a demanding training program and your current ability to give to others. This work can intensify your own grief. We will review each applicant individually in this regard.

• Because this work can be stressful at times, it is important that you have good supports and ways of taking care of yourself, meeting change and the unexpected with ease.

• You are open to others who may have different values, beliefs, and ways of living. You are able to listen well, and to validate others where they are, rather than where you might believe they should be.

• Because you may be called on to work in a variety of areas and perform many tasks, self-reliance, flexibility and adaptability are assets. Realistic awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses and the ability to set limits are important.

• You like working as part of a team and are willing to explore ways of supporting and being supported by other team members. You are dedicated to your own growth and ongoing learning. Your personal strengths will likely include warmth, concern for people, sense of humour and approachability.

• You are willing to commit yourself to the training and the volunteer responsibilities that follow, and to gaining an understanding of the standards and policies of Hospice Greater Saint John.

For information on our Volunteer Training Program, click here.

To download a Volunteer Application Form, click here.

Hospice Greater Saint John Volunteer Code of Ethics
and Pledge of Confidentiality:

As a volunteer and member of the formal caregiving team which includes physicians, nurses, social workers etc., I realize that I am subject to a code of ethics. Like the professionals I work with, I am accountable to standards of conduct and practice.

I agree to attend the annual 24-hour Hospice training program as part of my orientation and participate in continuing education opportunities. I understand that the Hospice training program is a comprehensive hospice palliative course valued at $75/person ($1,800 in Ontario) and is being provided to me at no cost. I commit to providing a minimum of 100 hours per year to Hospice and remain as an active volunteer for a minimum of one year after my training.

I promise to take to my work an attitude of open-mindedness and respect for beneficiaries, team and community. I realize I have unique talents and gifts, which I can use to enrich the lives of the people I work with. I will work at being an active member of the Hospice team and will value my own contributions as well as the contributions of others. I will act responsibly and work in good faith and with integrity towards the achievements of our goals.

I will not over-commit myself so as to lead to disappointment or frustration for others or myself. I believe that my attitude toward volunteer work should be professional; that I have an obligation to my work, to my colleagues, to those for whom it is done, and to the members of the public. I understand that the needs of dying people and grieving families may be immediate and I promise to make every reasonable effort to be available to support those needs when called upon.

I understand that Hospice work is not to change people, but to be with them where they are. I will not bring personal agendas or missions to my Hospice work. I believe in the purpose and mission of Hospice and will act responsibly and prudently as its steward.

I will stay informed about what’s going on in the organization and actively work to support Hospice. I will positively represent the organization in the community and publicly support the priorities and activities of Hospice.

Hospice respects your privacy. We protect your personal information and adhere to all legislative requirements with respect to protecting privacy. We do not rent, sell or trade our mailing lists. This information you provide will be used to deliver services and to keep you informed and up to date on the activities of Hospice, including programs, services, special events, funding needs and opportunities to give, education and volunteer opportunities, open houses and more through periodic contacts. It at any time you wish to be removed from any of these contacts, please contact us.

I understand that in the performance of my duties as a volunteer of Hospice, I must hold personal and medical information regarding Hospice patients and families confidential. The sharing of such information will be strictly between Hospice staff, assigned volunteers and members of the health-care team directly involved in the patient’s care. Such discussion will occur only in pursuit of quality end-of-life care and support. I understand that intentional or involuntary disclosure of confidential information and/or failure to follow approved Hospice policies and procedures may result in my immediate termination as a volunteer.

I hereby certify that all information included in my application form is true and complete. I give permission to an authorized Hospice representative to conduct reference checks with the above names referees and release Hospice and all others from liability in connection with same.

Signature:_______________________________________ Date:________________________

• I will be sent, without request, quarterly financial reports and an update of organizational activities that allow me to meet the “prudent person” section of the law.

• Opportunities will be offered to me to discuss with the Executive Director and the Board Chairperson the organization’s programs, goals, activities and status; additionally, I can request such opportunities.

• The organization will help me perform my duties by keeping me informed about issues in the industry and field in which we are working, and by offering me opportunities for professional development as a Board Member.

• Board Members and staff will respond in a straightforward fashion to questions that I have that I feel are necessary to carry out my fiscal, legal and moral responsibilities to this organization.  Board Members and staff will work in good faith with me towards achievement of our goals.

• If the organization does not fulfill its commitments to me, I can call on the Board Chairperson and Executive Director to discuss these responsibilities.

For a copy of the Board of Directors’s Application Form, click here.