End of Life Concerns Hospice Care How to Become a Hospice Volunteer By Angela Morrow, RN Angela Morrow, RN LinkedIn Angela Morrow, RN, BSN, CHPN, is a certified hospice and palliative care nurse. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 14, 2020 Fact checked by Dale Brauner Fact checked by Dale Brauner LinkedIn Dale is an experienced fact-checker and researcher with a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism Learn about our editorial process Print Hospice volunteers are an essential part of a well-run hospice program—so essential, in fact, that hospice agencies receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding have to prove that at least 5% of hospice work is being done by volunteers in order to be paid. Hospice volunteers may do a number of important tasks that range from assisting in office work to staying vigil at a dying patient's bedside. Dorann Weber / Getty Images Training Hospice volunteers find themselves privy to confidential patient information and are involved with patients and their loved ones during a most personal and vulnerable time in their lives. For this reason, hospice volunteers must go through extensive orientation and training to prepare them for the often difficult, and always rewarding, work they will do. Most hospice agencies provide this training for volunteers which is typically 20 to 30 hours spread out over the course of several weeks. The training helps volunteers develop the various communication skills necessary to comfort and support patients and families, and explains the emotional and spiritual needs of patients at the end of life. A hospice volunteer typically dedicates four hours a week to a hospice agency but most agencies are flexible regarding the exact number of volunteer hours. Because a hospice agency spends significant time and money to train their volunteers, they generally like to get at least a one-year commitment from volunteers. This way overall volunteer turnaround is limited. Responsibilities Hospice volunteers have a variety of responsibilities. Their responsibilities can include administrative work, social visits, caregiver relief, therapy, and more. 5 Steps to Becoming a Volunteer If you think you have the time and necessary skill set needed to be a hospice volunteer, follow these 5 steps in order to get started: Do a self-evaluation: How much time do you have to dedicate to hospice volunteering? What skills do you have that would be most useful to dying patients and their loved ones? Choose a hospice agency that you would like to volunteer for. Not all hospices are created equal! Follow the same principles that patients and families should follow when choosing a hospice agency. Contact the hospice agency that you have chosen and inquire about their hospice volunteer training. Attend volunteer training and orientation. Use those wonderful talents and skills to help people when they need it most! 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Morris SM, Payne S, Ockenden N, Hill M. Hospice volunteers: bridging the gap to the community?. Health Soc Care Community. 2017;25(6):1704–1713. doi:10.1111/hsc.12232 Lavenburg P, Bernt FM. Training and supporting hospice volunteers: a regional survey. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2012;29(5):355–361. doi:10.1177/1049909111423527 By Angela Morrow, RN Angela Morrow, RN, BSN, CHPN, is a certified hospice and palliative care nurse. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit