Hospice Volunteer Training Course Checklist for Volunteer Managers
Checklist for Volunteer Managers
◻ Online Learning Module #1: Hospice History, Philosophy, Goals and Services
◻ Online Learning Module #2: Dying, Death, Grief and Loss
◻ Online Learning Module #3: Understanding Families, Family Systems and Family Dynamics
◻ Online Learning Module #4: Communication, Active Listening and Honoring Diversity
◻ Online Learning Module #5: The Nuts and Bolts of Hospice Volunteering

CONTINUA LEARNING
Simplify Your Hospice Team’s Training and Skill Building
A complete solution for your agency: more than 125 hospice courses, caregiver in-services, training plans, and more.
Topics and Materials to Review/Discuss with New Volunteers
◻ Mission and vision statements
◻ Agency specific philosophy of care and values
◻ Marketing materials: website, brochures, etc.
◻ Key messages used in outreach encounters, community activities and events
◻ Volunteer role in marketing and outreach
◻ Forms used for advance directives: Living Will, Health Care Surrogate/Proxy, Do Not Resuscitate
◻ Organizational chart, pointing out the lines of communication available to volunteers
◻ Volunteer program policies and procedures
◻ Additional agency policies and procedures that apply to volunteer duties and responsibilities
◻ Volunteer documentation forms, processes and requirements
◻ Additional agency learning resources: mentors, books, videos, support groups, inservice schedules, etc.
◻ Agency specific policies regarding procedures for volunteers to follow in an emergency and following the death of the patient
◻ Position descriptions with volunteer duties and responsibilities
◻ List and explain the components of your agency’s IDT meeting
◻ Volunteer role and responsibilities in care planning process
Suggested Additional Learning Activities for New Volunteers
◻ Role-play a conversation about end-of-life care with someone who does not know about hospice. Volunteer might first take on the role of the volunteer and the volunteer will play the role of a person who is unfamiliar with hospice. Then reverse roles in order to give the volunteer the opportunity to practice
◻ Arrange for the volunteer to Interview two IDT members and to learn various ways to maintain a healthy balance while working for hospice
◻ Arrange for the volunteer to attend an IDT meeting in order to for examples of how the IDT supports patient/family choices and resolves “problems” as they occur and to observe interactions roles, interactions and collaboration between team members
◻ Provide volunteer with practice scenarios regarding when and how to share important information with the team
◻ Tour hospice service sites
If you found this article informative and useful share it with your friends and colleagues.