Volunteer FAQs
Click any of the Frequently Asked Questions to view the answer.
There are four easy steps to volunteering:
- STEP 1: Fill out Volunteer Application
- STEP 2: Complete orientation/training
- STEP 3: Complete paperwork/Medical requirements
- STEP 4: Interview with volunteer coordinators and choose what volunteer opportunities interest you most
Then start volunteering!
Niagara Hospice Volunteers provide support to patients, families and office staff. They provide friendly visits to patients, respite for caregivers and their families, transportation or run errands. Volunteers are a vital communication link between patients, families, and Niagara Hospice staff and are considered an integral part of the Niagara Hospice team.
If you do not feel comfortable working with patients, there are many other volunteer opportunities available. We have a need for volunteers to provide office and clerical support, help with fundraising events, assist with mailings, do public speaking, or to offer special skills that may benefit our organization and clients, such as computer skills, sewing, home improvements or hair styling.
Volunteer work at Niagara Hospice is not about where you live, how old you are, your educational background or what you have or don’t have. We provide the training you need; you provide yourself, your talent and your time.
Volunteers are required to attend Niagara Hospice Volunteer training. Volunteers who want to work directly with patients and families need to attend four hours of training; additional in-service training is also required that is available on-line at the volunteer’s convenience. These volunteers are also provided on-the-job training through shadowing opportunities. Volunteers who want to help in the office or at special events only need to attend the four hour training.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Orientation to the agency
- Patient/family dynamics
- Communication skills
- Roles of the hospice team
- HIPAA compliance, confidentiality
The role of the volunteer is discussed and explained so that each individual can make their own decision about what kind of volunteer work they would like to provide.
There are no set schedules at Niagara Hospice regarding volunteer hours. It all depends on the needs of our teams and the availability of the volunteer. Volunteer services are flexible enough to work around most schedules. You decide on the hours you are willing and able to give.
Volunteers do not provide personal care for patients. They do not feed, medicate, ambulate, toilet, or transfer patients from bed/chair/wheelchair, etc.
Volunteers visit patients in:
- Patients’ or family cargiver’s homes
- Niagara Hospice House (4675 Sunset Dr. Lockport, NY 14094)
- Hospice at Jeanne’s House (7264 Nash Rd. North Tonawanda, NY 14120)
- David’s Path (621 10th St. Niagara Falls, NY 14301)
- Niagara County Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult homes
- Niagara County Hospitals
Volunteer coordinators are in regular contact with volunteers, primarily by phone and by e-mail. Monthly newsletters are sent to our volunteers with current information, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. Annual in-service and educational opportunities are also available to volunteers. In addition, a counselor is available to assist volunteers with issues relating to their volunteer work with Niagara Hospice patients.
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