Volunteer PRN - Oklahoma City, United States - ACCENTRA HOME HEALTHCARE

Description

Job Description

The Hospice Volunteer provides various services for Accentra Hospice patients/families as determined by the interdisciplinary team care plan. The Hospice Volunteer may be either a Direct Care Volunteer or an Indirect Care Volunteer. The Direct Care Volunteer works directly with patients, caregivers, and families. The Indirect Care Volunteer does not work with patients directly, their time and effort is put to use in assisting the hospice organization with administrative and general office tasks.

Whether opting to be directly or indirectly involved with patient and family care, hospice volunteers are able to use their unique talents and skill sets to support hospice organizations and provide patients and families with a more comfortable end-of-life experience. Time commitment is relative to the volunteer activity – usually not less than one hour or more than six hours per week. This is a non-paid position.

Qualifications

• No significant loss in the past year (if you have had loss in past 12 months volunteer must pass evaluation for readiness).
• Availability of time and skills which pertain to the volunteer activity.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and take directions well.
• Empathetic listening skills.
• Ability to understand and tolerate hardship stories.
• Knowledge and dexterity with computers and other office equipment when necessary.
• Personal car for travel, valid drivers license, and personal auto liability insurance coverage (Direct Care Volunteer only).

Responsibilities

• Responsible for timely completion of the volunteer training program.
• Participate in staff development programs and attend no less than three (3) programs a year.
• Maintains records of time spent and submits visit notes and report to Volunteer Coordinator after each visit as instructed.
• Receives assignments from the Hospice Volunteer Coordinator according to type of volunteer services/skills needed within the capabilities and preference of the volunteer.
• Always maintain confidentiality regarding information related to patients and family.
• Maintain prompt completion of all documentation relating to service/care.
• Communicate clearly and accurately.
• Ability to accept guidance.
• Maintain communication with the volunteer coordinator a minimum of once a month.
• Attends annual hospice in-service.
• Hospice bi-annual competency as applicable to the volunteer activity.

Direct Care Volunteers:

• Provide services to the Hospice patient/family as determined by the Interdisciplinary Team plan of care.
• Ability to verbalize the hospice philosophy of care when providing services to patients and families.
• Bereavement volunteers may provide monthly bereavement calls, writing bereavement notes, memorial service activities, etc., all under the direction of the Bereavement Coordinator.
• Inpatient and Unit Volunteers may provide clerical duties, errands, patient care under the supervision of the RN or CNA, housekeeping activities and volunteer charting.
• Schedule visits with individual patients and family following assignment and initial visit.
• Patient/family visits may include but are not limited to:
• Listen to and validate (making sure to let the patient/family lead the conversation)
• Visit with patient/family
  • Read to patients
  • Play cards or games
  • Write letters for patient
  • Run errands
  • Meal preparation
  • Homemaking chores
  • Relieve primary caregiver
  • Other as appropriate
• Providing transportation to patients, run errands.
• Assisting in light household chores.
• Sitting with patients to provide companionship and a comforting presence.
• Playing music for patients to provide a soothing and joyful atmosphere.
• May attend funeral and assist family during bereavement as appropriate

Indirect Care Volunteers:

• Clerical Volunteers may provide computer data entry, filing, typing, copying, collating materials, assisting with marketing, working the reception desk and making tuck-in calls.
• Helping prepare mailings and newsletters for community outreach.
• Helping in preparations and setup for special community events and outings.
• Other clerical duties as assigned.
• There is no compensation with this position.

Functional Abilities

• A spirit of compassion and understanding towards those who are on the end-of-life journey.
• Respect for all ways of life, cultural customs and religious views.
• Keen understanding of personal limits.
• The ability to listen and be comfortable in silence.
• Able to travel.

• Requires full range of body motion, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
• Light to moderate physical activity required. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.