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Volunteering for Cornerstone Hospice Caring, compassionate people are needed to assist Hospice patients and their loved ones. Do you have two to four hours a week to help a neighbor? Hospice volunteers are a vital part of our entire organization, and play an active role in helping to provide the many special comfort and support services that distinguish Hospice care. Volunteers choose from among many Hospice service areas. Some find their greatest satisfaction in serving as part of the team assisting patients and their families. Others enjoy office and clerical duties. Still others contribute as couriers, facilities maintenance assistants, or helping in a variety of community relations activities. And of course, the entire Hospice organization is guided by the men and women who comprise our two boards of directors. They are all volunteers, too! Our volunteers are special, but not out of the ordinary. They are regular people just like you. They use common sense and understanding. They do not need a medical background. They listen. They care. Volunteers help make a patient's remaining life more fulfilling and satisfying by giving their time, understanding, and support and asking nothing in return. In fact, any Hospice volunteer will tell you that they feel they receive more from their Hospice experience than they give. Click here for an ADULT application. Click here for an TEEN application. Things to know before you apply: In order to ensure the highest quality of care for patients and families, there are state and federal regulations that mandate special requirements for hospice volunteers. We ask the following from anyone interested in volunteering:
How much of my time will volunteering take? That's largely up to you. Some volunteers contribute hundreds of hours of service every year. Others take part less frequently or find their greatest reward in helping with occasional activities such as mailings, fund-raising, etc.. As a general guideline, volunteers are asked to assist four hours per week. Again, this varies according to the types of work each volunteer enjoys most. How does Hospice prepare and support its volunteers? Everyone is required to complete an interesting, 16-hour training. All materials and lunch are provided free of charge. At the post-graduation interview, each volunteer selects the kinds of service he or she wishes to provide. Volunteers are free to change areas at any time. We also offer monthly in-service education, support meetings, and newsletters. In addition, volunteers enjoy an ongoing variety of social events, picnics and an annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. What do Hospice volunteers do for patients and families? Hospice volunteers are members of the community who have special interests and have specialized training. Volunteers provide companionship for the patient and relief for the caregiver. Volunteers are very important members of the interdisciplinary team. They listen and provide comfort and assurance through their presence and personal caring. Patient-family volunteers perform many functions including the following:
The volunteer will always
Trained volunteers are a vital part of the Hospice team. The volunteer training curriculum includes
Click on "Volunteer Trainings" on Upper Right Hand Corner Non-Patient Care Opportunities:
Office Aid Volunteers: Assist staff in every department in a wide range of important duties including data entry, filing, copying, mailings, work or data management system set-ups and more. Community Events Volunteers: The Community Events Volunteers have the responsibility to provide assistance to the Community Events Specialist in coordinating special events Facilities Maintenance Volunteer: Provide practical support to Facilities Specialists by assisting with plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and lawn care.
Hospice House Volunteer: Life Enrichment Volunteer The Life Enrichment Volunteer has the responsibility to provide volunteer services to patients by providing some of the following therapies; pet therapy, music therapy, massage therapy or art therapy. Ambassador Volunteers: Provide and support outreach and marketing activities as a speaker or as a health fair representative to educate the community about services provided by Cornerstone Hospice. Telephone Assurance Program (Tap) Volunteer: The TAP Volunteer has the responsibility to provide phone support to assigned Hospice bereaved loved ones as directed by the Bereavement Counselor Transportation Volunteer: The Transportation Volunteer has responsibility to provide transportation to patients, caregivers, and families for up to four hours a week. Bilingual Volunteers: To be able to provide quality volunteer services to our Hispanic communities.
Youth Volunteers: Our teen (ages 14 – 18) can provide companionship and encouragement to our patients, help out in our offices and community events while achieving their Bright Futures Hours.
If you would like more information about Hospice volunteering, please call Volunteer Manager Lisa Gray at 352-742-6806 or toll free 888-728-6234, or email volunteering@cornerstonehospice.org. Or you may call the Volunteer Specialist in your area. Orange and Osceola: Melissa Cruz 407-256-2033 Polk, Highland and Hardee: Sherry DiSimone 863-242-9416 Lake County: Bettie LoCicero 352-742-6827 Sumter County: Kim Carter 352-455-6081 The Villages: Pamela Lawless 352-751-3104 |
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