VOLUNTEER TRAINING & REQUIREMENTS
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer for Hospice of Michigan and meet the requirements detailed below, you will receive 6 hours of general training, and throughout the year, you will receive ongoing education in interest-specific modules you select, such as pediatric volunteering, grief support volunteering, veteran-to-veteran volunteer visits and more. Depending on how youd like to serve, Hospice of Michigan will guide your training and support you in your particular volunteer role.
General topics covered during volunteer training include:
- Introduction to hospice and palliative care
- Active listening and ways to improve communication
- Protection of patient/family rights, including confidentiality
- Knowledge of advance directives and powers of attorney
- Respecting cultural differences
- Physiological, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of end-of-life care
- The healing process
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Before submitting your volunteer application, please take a moment to consider whether volunteering with Hospice of Michigan is right for you:
- Volunteers are asked to commit at least one year of service to Hospice of Michigan. Continuity of care is important to our patients and families; therefore, Hospice of Michigan volunteer opportunities are considered long-term, and not suited for those looking for temporary or summer-only volunteering.
- Because our patients reside throughout the state of Michigan, volunteer opportunities are best suited to those with their own transportation. We cannot guarantee that volunteer opportunities will be available on a bus route that works for you.
- Volunteer opportunities are best for those with morning and afternoon availability, as that is when patients and families are most in need of visitors.
- All volunteers are required to attend a one-day orientation class, offered on a quarterly basis.
- All volunteers providing support for patients are required to have annual TB testing to meet compliance requirements.
- The State of Michigan Department of Community Health requires various criminal background checks for hospice volunteers, and that all volunteers are fingerprinted.
Waiting period after a death
Experience has taught us that for those who have lost someone close to them, a one-year waiting period after the death is best. If someone close to you has died, Hospice of Michigan is very sorry about your loss. We recognize that you have a lot to offer as a volunteerwe look forward to connecting with you after the waiting period.
