Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates
As valued members of the home care and hospice teams, our volunteers are participants
in the many aspects of both Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice of VNS. While volunteers
for Visiting Nurse Service are primarily for clerical needs, volunteers for Hospice
of VNS can choose between various non-patient contact needs and working with patients
and their families.
Since 1982, hundreds of dedicated volunteers have used their talents and compassion
to enhance the lives of hospice patients and their families by providing them with
companionship and support. These patients depend upon our volunteers to help them
maintain their independence and provide them with physical and emotional comfort.
Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service have a need for both
patient contact and non-patient contact volunteers.
After completing orientation and training classes and mentoring with a seasoned
volunteer, our patient-contact volunteers visit with hospice patients at home, in
nursing facilities and in the Hospice Care Center providing patients with pleasant
company while offering caregivers an opportunity to enjoy time for themselves. At
the Care Center they may assist on the nursing unit with reception duties or in
the kitchen helping to prepare meals, with meal tray delivery and also with the
feeding of patients. In addition volunteers help families cope with grief and bereavement
issues by volunteering with the Bereavement and Spiritual Care Department.
Volunteers also provide thousands of hours of support through non-patient contact
activities. Following an interview, orientation and training, volunteers may assist
with administrative support which makes it possible for staff to focus their efforts
on patient care. Volunteers who can help in the clerical area are always in need.
Processing mailings, answering phones, running errands, computer data entry, filing
and assembling charts are examples of the many jobs available.
Volunteers are needed to assist in all aspects of fundraising, assisting with the
planning and executing of special events, garden dedications, memorial services
and in addition are in demand to speak to corporate and community groups about our
services through our Speaker's Bureau.
We also have a need for volunteers to help with the Hospice Care Center gardens,
with maintenance duties indoors and out and even feeding the birds!
Our volunteers are a dynamic, compassionate group who are dedicated to helping make
a difference in the quality of life of others. We invite you to join us.
If you have any questions, please call the Volunteer office at 330-668-4650.