Seasons Hospice Mission and Vision

Our Mission :
Honoring Life ~ Offering Hope

Our Vision:
To recognize that individuals and families are the true experts in their own
care.
To support our staff so they can put our patients and families first.
To find creative solutions which add quality to life.
To strive for excellence beyond accepted standards.
To increase the communitys awareness of hospice as part of the continuum
of care.

Who are our patients?

Our patients range in age from newborns with birth or genetic disorders to
people in their 100s
We serve patients and families from a wide array of ethnic and religious
backgrounds
We serve patients in nursing home facilities as well as patients in their own
homes, We also have multiple inpatient units that serve our patients and
families.
40% of our patients have cancer; many have dementia and heart disease.
While patients are our main focus, siblings and families also receive support.
We currently provide service from 38 locations located in 16 states.
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Volunteers: The heart of hospice

Volunteers play an extremely important role in hospice.

Without them, most hospices

would not be able to carry on their work.

Of the 115,000 persons involved in hospice care in America, some 95,000 are
volunteers and each year they give more than 5 million hours to helping dying persons
and their families.
They provide assistance at all levels of skill. Many are relatives and friends of former
hospice patients who, having seen how much hospice can help, want to contribute to its
good work.

A Hospice Volunteer:
Is a special and necessary member of the Hospice Team
Is caring, open and accepting of life
Understands the challenges that face families and patients when confronted with
a life-limiting illness
Affirms life not just by speaking but by doing
Learns new interpersonal skills
Makes possible what was once impossible
Knows integrity means keeping promises to ourselves as well as others
Gives back to life what was given to them
Enriches their own life by enriching the lives of others

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You Can Make A Difference

Hospice volunteers give and receive many benefits from joining our program.
Volunteers set their own levels of commitment based on their available time and the
needs of our patients. Becoming a volunteer is a process of interviews, paperwork and
education. An initial interview takes place with the Director of Volunteers to share
information about Seasons Hospice, the volunteer experience, and to learn about your
personal volunteering goals and background for this service.
We offer two categories of volunteer service:

Direct Patient Care Volunteers help by providing comfort, support,

practical assistance, care and compassion to our patients and their family members. You
can make a difference by
Visiting or calling a patient or family member
Providing companionship ~ from simple conversations to exploring deep feelings
Reading aloud or listening to music together
Looking at photos together and sharing the memories (life review)
Going for walks with a patient or family member
Sitting with a patient so caregivers have free time (respite)
Journaling (helping the patient record their history)
Watching movies or playing games
Helping with children
Writing letters
Bereavement support
Sharing a quiet moment
The role of the Direct Patient Care Volunteer is as vast as the creative imagination
allows!

Indirect Care Volunteers help by providing administrative assistance or

special projects that enhance the work of our staff and supports patients, families and
the efforts of the teams in the field. You can make a difference by assisting with
Newsletters, Graphic arts and crafting projects
General office, mailings and Database support
Community outreach
Volunteer recruitment
Running errands
Sending birthday cards
The role of the Indirect Care Volunteer is limited only by energy, talent and time!!
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Volunteer opportunities
Volunteer Skill Sets are defined areas of service within the Volunteer Department.

The

Skill Sets have been developed to offer our volunteers opportunities for growth and to
maintain high levels of competency. Skill sets may vary with service area location and
may require additional training. Volunteer selection begins with an application and
interview where potential volunteers express their personal goals, availability, interests
and talents. All volunteers are carefully screened through a criminal background check,
motor vehicle report and personal references. Opportunities to serve may include:

Direct Patient Care Volunteers :

Adult Patient Care Volunteer
Inpatient Unit Volunteer
Pediatric Team Volunteer / Kangaroo Kids Program
Vigil Volunteer
Pet Team Volunteer
Bereavement Volunteer

Indirect Care Volunteers :

Administrative Support Volunteer
Special Projects Volunteer

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Basic requirements and orientation

Basic requirements and orientation for All volunteers :

Initial Interview
Paperwork Packet including: Volunteer Profile, 2 Personal References,
Confidentiality Agreement and Standards of Conduct Agreement
HIPAA Self Study Module & Competency
Untarnished Criminal Background History
Motor Vehicle Report with no more than 3 moving violations within the past 36
months.
Copies of current Drivers License and current Car Insurance (to be kept current)
Training to Specific Skill Set(s)
Signed Job Description
2 Step Tuberculosis Skin Test (free at our offices) or Chest X-ray
Note: TB testing is required for Direct Patient Care Volunteers only
Hepatitis B Acceptance or Waiver
Review of Policies specific to Volunteer Department
Review of Seasons Mission and Vision
Brief History of Hospice

Continued Annual Requirements include :

Infection Control including, Safety and Hand washing Training with Competency
Annual Motor Vehicle Report
Annual Volunteer Evaluation

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Training and Support

Direct Patient Care Volunteers are required to participate in full Hospice

Volunteer Training as well as completing basic requirements and orientation. Volunteer
Training is offered in different formats and locations throughout the Seasons Hospice
service areas. Specific Skill Sets may require additional interview, selection and program
training. Training Specific to Direct Patient Care Volunteer Skill Sets includes:

Adult Patient Care :

Completion of all basic volunteer requirements and orientation
16-20 Hour Initial Full Volunteer Training, including competencies
Post Interview following training, prior to first patient assignment

Inpatient Unit Volunteer:

Completion of all basic volunteer requirements and orientation
16-20 Hour Initial Full Volunteer Training, including competencies
2 Hour Orientation of Hospice House Unit
2 Mentor Visits taken with an experienced volunteer or staff member
Inpatient Unit Competency Test

Pediatric Team Volunteer:

Completion of all basic volunteer requirements and orientation
16-20 Hour Initial Full Volunteer Training, including competencies
Additional training to work with children and families, individually arranged
depending on background and skills
Additional training required for participation in hand mold sculptures

Vigil Volunteer:
Completion of all basic volunteer requirements and orientation
16-20 Hour Initial Full Volunteer Training, including competencies
Completion of approximately 6 months of active Adult Patient Care service
Orientation to Vigil Volunteer protocols and procedures
Additional self-study module and Vigil Volunteer Competency Test

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Training and SupportContinued

Pet Team Volunteer:

Completion of all basic volunteer requirements and orientation
16-20 Hour Initial Full Volunteer Training, including competencies
Certified Pet
Liability Documentation for Pet
Socialization interview with Pet
Orientation to Pet Team visiting protocol
Pet Team Volunteer Competency Test

Bereavement Visits Volunteer:

Completion of all basic volunteer requirements and orientation
16-20 Hour Initial Full Volunteer Training, including competencies
Orientation to Bereavement Department

Indirect Care Volunteers are required to complete the basic requirements

and orientation, training specific to task undertaking, and are encouraged to attend full
hospice volunteer training. Training Specific To Indirect Care Skill Sets Includes:

Administrative Support Volunteer:

Completion of all basic volunteer requirements and orientation
Orientation to specific task and equipment
Optional: 16-20 Hour Initial Full Volunteer Training
Includes activities such as administrative documentation, data entry, general
office, bereavement support calls, and program liaison support

Special Projects Volunteer :

Completion of all basic volunteer requirements and orientation
Orientation to specific task and equipment
Optional: 16-20 Hour Initial Full Volunteer Training
Includes activities such as crafts, event speeches or performances, assistance at
expos, fairs and events

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