Hospice Volunteer Training | Rutland

At the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR), volunteers play a critical role in enhancing the end-of-life experiences of people facing serious illness and their families. Volunteers represent all life experiences and are drawn to hospice for a variety of reasons, but the defining characteristics that unite them are compassion and the desire to help others. Their many skills are matched to important tasks within our mission.

Training is free and open to individuals 16 years of age and older. Volunteers need to pass a background check. No previous hospice and health care experience is required. Preregistration is required.

Maybe you’ve had a personal experience with hospice and want to give back. Perhaps you are a student looking to complete community service hours or maybe you simply have a heart for caring. Hospice volunteers are special. They provide invaluable support and in-home care to patients and their families. No matter what your reason for choosing to help us, we’re eager to find a volunteer opportunity that fits with your interests, availability and talents. Join us for our next in-person training session. 

There are many reasons why people choose to volunteer, and hospice volunteering can provide a meaningful way to give back and help others. Hospice volunteers offer important support and care to patients and their families. You can discuss your interests, availability, and talents with us at VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, and we’ll help find a volunteer opportunity that suits you.

Once training is complete, assignments and schedules are tailored to the volunteer’s geographic and time commitment preferences.

Training Topics include:
• Understanding the Hospice philosophy of care
• Knowing boundaries when interacting with patients and families
• Communicating with patients and families
• Understanding basic health and safety precautions
• Understanding patient confidentiality

The Benefit of Becoming a Hospice Volunteer
While our volunteers make a tremendous impact on the lives of our patients, families and staff, we hear time and again that they, too, benefit from their hospice experiences. Among the things they mention are:
• Increased appreciation for living life in the moment and defining what is really important
• Greater knowledge and more inner peace about the end-of-life experience
• Greater insight about diversity and the different perspectives among cultures
• Heightened sense of fulfillment and pride because of their contributions to patients and families and to the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region.

For more information or to register call Mary at 802.442.0540 or email at mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org