Volunteering with Maggie's Hospice

 

Thank you for your interest and for considering sharing your time and compassion as a

hospice volunteer. Maggie's Hospice is growing in the greater Prescott and Verde Valley areas, and we are always looking for new volunteers to join our team. Our goal is to provide the

highest quality of care to our patients and their families.

 

As a volunteer with Maggie's Hospice, you are an integral part of our team. It is possible that

you will form a unique and close connection with patients and families. Therefore, your eyes and ears are very important in creating a holistic understanding of our patient's situation.

You will likely feel a sense of fulfillment and personal reward as you extend your time, love,

and compassion. Even small deeds of kindness can profoundly enhance the lives of our

patients and families.

 

How Volunteers Serve

 

   Patient Support

 

• Friendly visits

• Writing Letters

• Reading to patients

• Light housekeeping

• Running errands

• Small meal preparation

• Assist with annual Celebration of Life

 

   Administrative

 

• Typing, filing and other light office work

• Sending birthday cards, sympathy cards, and bereavement notes

• Assisting with volunteer training

• Making deliveries

 

   Bereavement

 

Bereavement volunteers support families of deceased patients. During the grieving process, the volunteer is an invaluable resource, especially for those who lack a solid support network. 

Additional training is required

 

• Telephone and in person support

• Coordinate community resources

• Help Bereavement Coordinator with writing letters and making calls

 

   Vigil

 

Vigil Volunteers are experienced hospice volunteers who sit quietly with a patient in the last

24 hours of their lives. Additional training is required.

 

   What is required?

 

First-hand experiences with family members or friends often prepare hospice volunteers to be

especially supportive and sensitive to the family's needs. Even without the experience, you will

be thoroughly trained and supported in the skills you need for your particular volunteer role.

Training includes scheduled training classes, individual training, and support, and on-site 

training with the Volunteer Coordinator. All of our volunteers are given assignments that best

suit their time, skills, and interest. No matter what your skills, talents, or experience, we have

the opportunity for you to help.

 

• The goals and philosophy of hospice care

• The responsibilities and duties of caring for patients and their families

• The physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of death and dying

• Listening and communication skills

• Patient and family rights

• Family relationships

• Spiritual and cultural diversity

• Patient confidentiality

 

   Time Commitment

 

After completing training, you will determine how much time you can commit to hospice work.

We request that you consider offering a 4 hour minimum per month, regardless of your volunteer

role. However, whether dedicating as little as two hours a month, or six hours a week, all of your

efforts are appreciated and much needed.

 

   Am I qualified to be a volunteer?

 

You are likely a good candidate to be a hospice volunteer if you are reading this information. 

The are no restrictions in regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, handicap, or 

national origin. Being a hospice volunteer is not for everyone, but here are some of the important things we look for in a volunteer:

 

• At least 18 years of age

• Able to listen with close attention, and be comfortable in silence

• Able to accept the dying process comfortably

• Excellent communication skills

• Able to work as an integral part of the team

• Be dependable, patient, and flexible

• Know your strengths and limits

• Be non-judgmental, accepting that our care is patient driven

• Respect all beliefs, all religious customs, and all who are without them

• Acceptance of ethical, moral and cultural differences

 

   What's Next?

 

The next step is becoming a Maggie's volunteer is to complete an application. You can either

stop by our office and pick up an application, or we can email (or snail-mail) one to you.

Once we receive your completed application, you will meet with the Volunteer Coordinator

for an interview, at which time the next steps will be explained.

 

   Our address is:

 

Maggie's Hospice and Palliative Care

801 Miller Valley Road

Prescott, Arizona, 86301

 

Phone number: 928-775-2290