- Image by Marjut via Flickr
In my last post, I said I’d follow up on what the Hosparus/Hospice training was like. Hospice offers two types of training based on the role you wish to assume. The first type is a more specialized daylong training session provided to those volunteers who will be working directly with patients and their families. You’re instructed on the rules and procedures with assisting with patient care and some of the more common situations you should expect.
Since my grandfather passed earlier in the year, I’m not able to interact directly with patient care so it was part of the more abbreviated half-day session for me. This is the second type of training in which the director thoroughly explains the rules of confidentiality and respect, and sets the expectations of volunteering for the organization.
We reviewed several forms and went through the volunteer handbook. All of this was done in a very thoughtful professional way, including a very well done and thought provoking video of how Hosparus/Hospice assists patients. The video had several interviews with former patients discussing what Hospice meant to them.
It was definitely not a feel good video, but it left you feeling very proud of what each volunteer brings to the team and appreciating what a huge impact they have with helping patients finish their lives with care and dignity. There’s no way you could watch this video and not identify with the importance of the program. I found myself feeling very fortunate for what I have and the life I live.
One of the interesting things the director mentioned was the longevity of the volunteers supporting the program. Several folks have been helping out from five to 10 years. They often transition into multiple roles as their interests change. This is very unusual for a volunteer organization since charities usually experience high turnover and limited flexibility of choices in supporting roles. I was glad to hear this since I tend to like variety and different challenges and I’m pretty open to help out where I can.
I finished my training and left the office feeling good knowing I had made the right decision to volunteer. I’m waiting to be contacted for volunteer opportunities, but I’ll probably help out with event planning, the thrift store or public speaking. I think I can add the most value in one of these areas, but we’ll see what comes up. I’ll cover that in my next post.
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