What Does a Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Do?
People who enjoy helping others and supervising a team would do well to consider becoming a hospice volunteer coordinator. It is a challenging career that offers a variety of duties and the rewards of helping patients and their families.
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Hospice Definition
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Hospices are programs or facilities that provide physical, emotional, social and spiritual support to those facing the end of life. Hospice patients typically have six months or less to live. While most hospice services are provided by paid medical professionals, volunteers often help by visiting the patient, performing light duties and comforting the patient and his family. A hospice volunteer coordinator ensures that patients and volunteers work together effectively.
Recruitment
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Hospice volunteer coordinators recruit volunteers in many ways, including advertisements, public speaking engagements, publications and attendance at local meetings and other events. They assess applicants to determine whether they are suitable to the task and how best to use their skills.
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Training
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Volunteer coordinators teach recruits about hospice volunteer duties and ensure that the duties are performed adequately. They create a job description and ensure that the volunteer understands it and completes the duties listed. They also show volunteers how to handle sensitive subjects, such as the death and dying process; the emotions of the patient and her loved ones; and financial and social issues. The coordinator monitors the volunteers and provides correction where needed.
Scheduling
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The volunteer coordinator creates and maintains schedules and ensures that they are followed. He works with hospice staff and administration to determine where volunteers would be best used.
Record Keeping
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The volunteer coordinator shows volunteers how to document their work and files those documents so the hospice agency can show exactly what work was performed and when. Proper record keeping also documents the training each volunteer received and any testing completed.
Recognition
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Coordinators ensure that all volunteers are adequately recognized for their work. They may organize awards ceremonies, field trips or other events. They may also verify a volunteer's efforts to her employer or potential employer. The coordinator arranges for certificates, plaques, trophies and other such symbols of gratitude.
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