Volunteer Visitor

As a SSHPCS Volunteer Visitor, you will provide compassionate companionship, emotional support, and a reliable presence to patients and families during their end-of-life journey. This role involves visiting patients in their homes to offer a meaningful connection that helps ease their emotional and psychological burdens.

Primary Responsibilities: 

1. Companionship and Engagement

  • Offer attentive and friendly conversations, and engage in activities such as reading, listening to music, or watching movies as appropriate.
  • Provide regular companionship during visits, adjusting your approach to the patient’s preferences and needs.

2. Emotional Support and Presence 

  • Actively listen and allow patients and families to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns.
  • Create a calm and supportive environment, helping to provide comfort and reduce stress during difficult times.

3. Confidentiality and Respect 

  • Uphold strict confidentiality regarding all patient and family information, ensuring a safe, respectful, and private space.
  • Demonstrate respect for patients’ cultural, spiritual, and personal beliefs, as well as their emotional and physical boundaries.

4. Communication with SSHPCS Program Coordinator 

  • Maintain clear and consistent communication with SSHPCS program coordinator regarding visit schedules, patient needs, and any changes in the patient’s condition or behavior.
  • Report any concerns or observations about the patient’s well-being to SSHPCS program coordinator in a timely manner.

5. Adherence to Safety Protocols 

  • Follow SSHPCS and NSH’s established safety protocols, including infection control measures, to ensure the health and safety of both the volunteer and the patient.
  • Be mindful of the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of yourself, patients, and families during visits.

6. Ongoing Training and Development 

  • Complete all required training, including initial orientation, hospice care, communication skills, grief and bereavement, and any other relevant topics.
  • Participate in any additional training or support sessions provided by SSHPCS to ensure your knowledge and skills remain current and aligned with best practices in palliative care.

 

Time Commitment: 

We ask that Volunteer Visitors commit a minimum of two visits per month, with each visit lasting one to two hours. We’d like you to commit to approximately 4 hours of visiting a month. Scheduling is flexible, with visits arranged based on both the volunteer’s and patient’s availability.

 

Role Expectations: 

This position requires a compassionate, empathetic individual who can provide emotional support in a sensitive and respectful manner. Volunteers need to be reliable, consistent, and maintain professional boundaries while offering a listening ear and comforting presence.