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General Operational Topics

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Post palliative care volunteers
Author: KellyNP
Date: Apr 29, 2010 2:33 pm
Are there guidelines for volunteers? If so, I am unsure where to look. We have had volunteers in the past with no real structure in place or role definition. I would like the volunteers to feel 'fulfilled' by what they do. These folks are not necessarily trained in spiritual care (although some are). Thank you
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Re:palliative care volunteers (by kkerr on 04/30/2010)
Hello,
The Victoria, Australia Department of Health has a nice page describing the role of volunteers in palliative care and has sample standards and resource documents, including a sample job description. The materials might not be usable off the shelf, but they may give you ideas for developing similar materials and a vision for a volunteer job description at your site.

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/palliativecare/volunteers.htm

Regards,
Kathleen Kerr, Senior Analyst, UCSF Palliative Care Leadership Center.
Re:palliative care volunteers (by SharolHerr on 05/03/2010)
We have found that volunteers in the hospital that work with palliative care need to be self-starters, demonstrate initiative. The staff in the hospital are often very busy and if the volunteer doesn't have a sense of their identity or purpose they are often unfulfilled. I've observed that if they have a routine practice or activity that is specific to their personality and style they will be successful. For example, we have one volunteer who writes poetry and maintains a book of inspirational poetry on the unit and bakes. She distrubutes the goodies at the team meeting and then rounds room to room with her cookie tray. I am including excerpts from our volunteer policy for your review. Hope this is helpful.
MANUAL: Acute Palliative Care

POLICY: Acute Palliative Care Unit (APCU) volunteers will be assigned to support the patients, families, and staff of the APCUs; volunteers are trained collaboratively by the Mount Carmel Hospitals and Mount Carmel Hospice.

RESPONSIBLE
PERSONS: Executive Director, Palliative Care Services, Acute Palliative Care Unit Directors, Hospice Volunteer Manager, Hospital Volunteer Services

PROCEDURE:
1. APCU Volunteers are assigned upon completion of hospital and hospice training which includes specific safety competencies related to hospital environment.
2. Volunteers provide support including:
a. Supportive presence at the bedside of a patient without family
b. Orientation of family members to APCU
c. Communication of patient/family needs and requests to APCU team.
d. Assisting the patient with meals.
e. Assisting with children who are visiting
f. Provision of diversionary activities such as tapes, books.
g. Assist with copying, collating educational materials; and errands for patients, families, and staff as appropriate.
Sharol Herr, RN, BSN, MSEd; Education Coordinator/Nurse Clinician; Mount Carmel Health Palliative Care Leadership Center; Columbus, Ohio.

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