Volunteer Training Overview and Calendar

There are numerous volunteer opportunities at Haven Hospice and training varies depending on the type of volunteer work.

Introduction to Haven Hospice - all volunteer must take this training, approximately 1 hour long, before taking any other training.

After a potential volunteer’s application has been processed and the background check has cleared, the volunteer will be invited to attend an Introduction to Haven Hospice training. The Introduction covers basic background information on hospice in general, information on the services offered by Haven Hospice and guidelines for volunteers.

Non-patient Volunteers

Volunteers not wishing to work directly with patiens and families will be able to volunteers after taking the Introduction and a department orientation.
  • Attic Volunteers* – orientation includes learning how to accept donations of clothing and household goods, sorting and pricing and customer service.

  • Gift Gallery Volunteers – orientation includes customer service and learning how to receive and process payments.

    * All Gift Gallery and Attic volunteers who will work the cash registers must clear a credit background check

  • Administrative/Office Support – volunteers will have department specific orientations as each job requires

  • Alliance Volunteers – specific orientation describes the history of the Alliance and its by-laws. Committee opportunities will be available at orientation.

  • Speaker’s Bureau and Community Outreach – Training includes information on consistent messages of Haven Hospice and palliative care, as well as how to be a good presenter through role playing. This 3-hour training will be offered at lease once in each service area. it is recommended, not required, that volunteers who want help with the Speaker’s Bureau and Community Outreach also take the Patient Family Training.

Patient and Family Volunteer Training

The Patient and Family Volunteer Training will give volunteers specific information on the skills needed to support patients, families and caregivers during a traumatic time in their lives. Training topics include spirituality, clinical signs of death and dying, and communication skills. Volunteers will learn through lecture, self-discovery and role-playing. At the conclusion of this 12-hour training participants will meet with Haven Hospice Volunteer Starf to determine the best placement for the volunteer (i.e., home care, nursing home/assisted living facility or Care Center.)

Further specialized training will be required for:

Transistions

Adjunct Chaplains

Alternative Therapies

Volunteers must complete the 12-hour training course. Pet therapists and their handlers must provide a health certificate for the animal; massage therapists must provide proof of insurance and a copy of their professional licenses.

Pegasus/Healing Hearts Volunteers

Pegasus and Healing Hearts volunteers complete a blended program that consists of 9 hours of training focused on the dynamics of the grieving family and the special needs of the grieving child. Volunteers who wish to work as facilitators for Healing Hearts grief support groups must complete an additional 4 to 6 hours of training. Pegasus/KidsCamp volunteers must complete 1.5 hours of additional training as well.