Thank you for considering becoming a Bluegrass Care Navigator Volunteer. Our volunteers bring warmth, compassion and support to patients and the families that we serve. Volunteers are an integral part of our team. It takes a special kind of person to volunteer with Bluegrass Care Navigators and therefore all potential volunteers are carefully screened and are required to complete a comprehensive training program that is aligned with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).
Things to consider before applying:
Serving: Anderson, Franklin, Owen and Woodford Counties
"The reason I became a volunteer was to give back to an organization that provided so
much to me and my family during such a difficult time and now I continue
volunteering so I can offer my experience to help other families."
- Gail Cummings, Frankfort Volunteer
The administrative volunteer provides added support to Bluegrass Care Navigators in all areas of programming. This position is not directly related to patient care.
Bereavement Compassion Bags
Bluegrass Grief Care is a unique counseling service of Bluegrass Care Navigators. It’s BCN’s passion and purpose to support and guide families and communities as they learn to live with loss - emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Bereavement Compassion Bag volunteers assemble and deliver compassion bags to bereaved family members and friends. Compassion bags aim to support the caregiver, family, friends, with tangible items to memorialize their loved one.
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TITLE: |
Bereavement Compassion Bag Volunteer (Bluegrass Grief Care) |
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REPORTS TO: |
Community Engagement Coordinator and other appropriate BCN staff |
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STATUS: |
Volunteer |
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GRADE: |
N/A |
QUALIFICATIONS
Supportive of the mission, vision, and values of Bluegrass Care Navigators.
Understands and accepts the hospice philosophy of care and can advocate that philosophy to the community, the patients, and their families.
Emotional maturity, sensitivity, good listening skills and a willingness to perform all aspects of the volunteer’s role as requested.
Completes the volunteer application and standard volunteer training through Bluegrass Care Navigators’ (BCN) Volunteer Management Software, Better Impact, or written documents.
Must participate in the interview and screening process.
Reviews and understands training/education on hospice bereavement services.
Reviews, understands, and follows bereavement compassion bag policy and procedures.
Have not had a significant loss within the past year. (This is a recommended guideline and may be evaluated on a case – by – case basis).
Able to comfortably discuss prior losses, especially deaths of loved ones.
Must have an up-to-date TB Skin Test and Flu Vaccination (during Flu season).
Must have COVID – 19 vaccinations.
Must submit to an annual background check.
Completes volunteer orientation and ongoing training/education.
Maintains dependability when accepting assignments.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Serves as an integral member of the hospice interdisciplinary team to provide support to patients and families.
Maintains patient/family confidentiality.
Assemble and/or deliver compassion bags.
Meets our health requirements as stated in qualifications and physical requirements.
Maintains adequate communication regarding family visits with the community engagement coordinator and the patient’s team.
Respect the caregiver’s autonomy, boundaries, and preferences regarding visit times and duration.
Maintains sensitivity to diversity, culture, and family dynamics.
Exercises appropriate hand hygiene and infection control procedures when interacting with patients.
Follows all COVID safety precautions as listed in the BCN volunteer training.
Establishes and maintains effective communication patterns using tact, sensitivity, sound judgement, and professional attitude when relating to patients, patients’ families, fellow volunteers, supervisors, health professionals, and physicians.
Documents and reports volunteer information as educated.
Demonstrates a time-conscious attitude and consistently strives to use time effectively by completing assignments in an efficient, well-organized, and self-directed manner.
Wears BCN name badge when performing Bluegrass Care Navigators duties.
Maintains dress code and evidence of good grooming.
Completes mandatory annual education by written or computer format.
Takes personal responsibility in reviewing and/or participating in educational offerings.
The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.
SPECIALIZED SKILLS
Effective communication skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Volunteers are regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, and talk or hear. Frequently required to sit and occasionally required to stand; walk; reach hands and arm; and stoop, kneel, and crouch.
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
BCN Volunteers are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their Community Engagement Coordinator.
Porch deliveries such as flowers, cards and other "compassion gifts" that are provided by Bluegrass Care Navigators.
Activity created during COVID 19 Pandemic to continue providing supportive care to patients and families
Make blankets, neck pillows, head pillows, and/or Alzheimer's aprons for patients.
Shopping for basic essential needs for patients and/or caregivers.
Call hospice patients and families frequently to provide extra support and companionship.
Visit with hospice patients via Bluegrass Care Navigator's Zoom platform.
These opportunities can include:
1x Request that are filled
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eleventh Hour | 1 | |||
| Respite 1x | 0 | |||
| Veteran to Veteran Support- Veteran Pinning | 0 | |||
Ex: NH Comp
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Support | 1 | |||
| Bereavement Anniversary Cards | 0 | 1/1/2021 | 12/31/2025 | |
| Bereavement Compassion Bag Program | 1 | |||
| Bereavement Memory Bear | 1 | |||
| Care Calls | 0 | 1/1/2021 | 12/31/2025 | |
| Community Outreach | 1 | |||
| Companionship Facility Patient | 1 | |||
| Companionship Home Patient | 1 | |||
| Compass Documentation | 1 | |||
| Meal Delivery from Spark Cafe | 1 | |||
| Pet Companionship-Daisy Hill | 1 | |||
| Pet Companionship-Morning Pointe Frankfort | 1 | |||
| Prayer Hankies Birthday Program | 1 | |||
| Prayer Shawl | 1 | |||
| Reception Desk Support | 1 | |||
| Respite Ongoing | 1 | |||
| Sewing | 1 | |||
| Shopping/Errands | 1 | |||
| Veteran to Veteran Support- Facility | 1 | |||
| Veteran to Veteran Support- Home | 1 | |||
| Yard Work | 1 | |||
| Activity | Shifts | Start | End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Education 2024 | 1 | |||
Providing patient-centered care to the seriously ill and their families with excellence and compassion; engaging in community partnerships, education and counseling; offering opportunities to staff, volunteers and donors to enrich lives through their gifts.
Be the leader in delivering comforting care at the right time to the seriously ill.
Compassion
Excellence
Teamwork
Respect & Dignity
Diversity
Integrity
Innovation
Sustainability
