Volunteer for Good Samaritan Hospice Christianburg, VA March 2014 - January 2015
I decided to become a hospice volunteer because I wanted to learn more about a side of healthcare that people often ignore - the end of life. As a volunteer for Good Samaritan Hospice, I completed 12 hours of training on hospice philosophy, communication with patients and families, caring for the terminally ill, health and safety precautions, and more. After completion of my training, I was assigned to 1-2 patients on a weekly basis (3-4 hours).
As a hospice volunteer, I provided patients companionship, physical care, meal assistance, or emotional support by simply listening. I usually worked with a clinical team of a nurse, aide, chaplain, and social worker at a long term care facility or patient’s home. I provided feedback to the team about any issues that arose during my time with the patient. After each visit, I filled out a Volunteer Contact Report that briefly described my interactions with the patient, any changes in the patient, and concerns expressed by the patient. It was a very rewarding experience knowing that I made a difference in people’s lives.