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Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Partners Hospice. Volunteers are a vital part of our team, giving 2-5 hours per week and committing to work for at least one year. Hospice volunteers contribute their time and efforts in many ways:
- Visiting with patients and families
- Providing respite for caregivers
- Running errands or providing transportation
- Researching and writing grants
- Coordinating special events
- Assisting with fundraisers
- Doing clerical work
- Offering professional skills on a volunteer basis
- Engaging in a patient's favorite activities (playing cards, listening to music, etc.)
- Helping a patient finish a project
- Recording a patient's life story
- Providing emotional support for patients and families
PATIENT CARE VOLUNTEERS provide companionship to patients, respite for caregivers, and assistance with errands and/or other practical needs. They offer a listening ear, an open mind, and a loving heart to the families in their care.
ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS provide office and clerical support, do research, staff fundraising and community outreach events.
HANDYPERSON VOLUNTEERS provide services such as lawn care, snow shoveling, walking dogs, building wheelchair ramps, etc.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH VOLUNTEERS help educate the public about hospice care and services by staffing our hospice booth at community events, health fairs, church events, festivals, fundraisers, and other special events.
BEREAVEMENT VOLUNTEERS provide social support to those being served by our bereavement program. Bereavement volunteers can also help with our monthly mailings.
VIGIL VOLUNTEERS/END-OF-LIFE DOULAS have completed additional training in the physical and spiritual aspects of dying and are available to provide vigils for patients during the final days and hours of life.
AMERICORPS VOLUNTEERS provide either 300 or 450 hours over a year (about 5 hours a week) and receive an education/student loan award for their service. If you are interested in being an Americorps volunteer please read over the Americorps Web site (www.americorps.org) and contact the hospice volunteer coordinator. 
What qualities are necessary for hospice volunteers?
- Ability to listen
- Ability to learn/humility
- Respect for diversity
- Dependability
- Team-player mentality
- Self-awareness
What is covered in volunteer training?
All hospice volunteers receive over 20 hours of education to prepare them to serve effectively. It requires significant investment on the part of both hospice staff and participants. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment in which the individual and group can engage in an exploration of death and dying. Therefore, applicants are asked to commit to attending all sessions of the training.
The volunteer training program serves to provide information about our hospice program, philosophy, volunteer roles and commitments. The training also serves as a screening process for staff assessment of participants’ suitability and readiness for direct work with hospice patients and their loved ones. We ask those that have lost a very close friend or family member to wait at least one year from the time of death before attending volunteer training.
Following the training, participants who wish to volunteer will interview with the volunteer coordinator to discuss placement. Each individual’s interests, skills, past experiences, and talents are taken into consideration when determining volunteer roles.
How can I become a hospice volunteer?
Partners Hospice offers volunteer training twice a year: once in the fall and once in the spring. Individuals interested in attending the training must submit an application. Training is not required for Handyperson or Administrative Volunteers, only those involved in direct patient care. If you are interested in volunteering but the timing isn't good for you, call the volunteer coordinator to discuss possibilities.
For more information or to obtain an application, call Tara Flanagan, Partners Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at (406) 327-3657 or e-mail her at flanagant@partnersinhomecare.org. You can also download an application from the link on this page and send it in.
Forms:
• Volunteer Application
• Volunteer Time Sheet - Excel document
• Volunteer Time Sheet - .PDF document
• Clear Patient Contact Log Form
• Volunteer Mileage Form
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