Volunteers help improve the quality of life for patients and families at our Palliative Care
Unit (St. Paul’s Hospital) and our Hospice (St. John Hospice) by providing emotional and
social support.
Volunteer Roles:
• Providing companionship to patients and support and counseling to friends and family
members
• Lending quiet presence to patients at bedside
• Providing Tea/coffee
• Sitting vigil during final hours of life
• Spiritual readings and support
• Caregiver relief
• Bereavement Support
• Therapeutic Touch, aromatherapy or massage
• Assisting with letter writing, scrap booking, reading to the client
• Sharing music or a movie with the client
• Assist with writing life histories
• Accompanying clients to garden areas
• Assist and support staff in their work
• Provide Pet Therapy with a certified Pet Therapy Dog
• Provide Music (ie. harp, piano)
Qualifications:
• An interest in the hospice palliative concept
• An interest to commit substantially to the care of the dying and supporting families that
are grieving imminent loss of a loved one
• Non-judgmental attitude
• Mature, friendly, stable and dependable
• Good listening and communication skills and being comfortable with silence
• Understanding and adherence to the principles of confidentiality.
• Experience with grief and/or significant loss
• Experience visiting with patients or family in a hospital setting.
• Must be 21 years or older
• Last significant loss must be at least 1 year ago or more
• Cleared Criminal Record Check
• Successful completion of the Palliative Care training program (26 hours offered twice a
year)
Time Commitment: Two hours a week for a minimum commitment of one year.
Responsible To: Palliative/Hospice staff and Volunteer Resources of Providence Health
Care
How to become a Palliative/Hospice Volunteer
• Submit a volunteer application to the Coordinator of Volunteers-applications can be
found on our website: www.providencehealthcare.org/volunteers
• Be selected for an interview with the Coordinator of Volunteers
• Provide references and a Cleared Criminal Record Check
• Successfully complete the 26 hour Training Program
• Attend a post interview to determine if it is a good fit for both parties
• Attend two training shifts with an experienced volunteer
Palliative/Hospice Training Program Course:
This is a comprehensive course. It provides training for our Palliative/Hospice Volunteer
Visitors, and is open to anyone who would like to learn more about providing support to
terminally-ill patients and to their families before death and during bereavement.
The course will cover:
• Attitudes about Death and Dying
• Needs of the Dying
• Palliative Care and Pain Management
• Listening and Communication Skills
• Spiritual Care
• Supporting the Family of the Dying Patient
• Care for the Caregiver
• Supporting those who are Grieving
• Multicultural Values
For further information please contact
Tanya Fitzpatrick, Coordinator, Volunteer Resources at 604-806-8509
tfitzpatrick@providencehealth.bc.ca
Now accepting applications for the Spring intake until
February 28th 2014.
Applicants must attend all sessions in order to volunteer in the Palliative Care Unit or Hospice
or have equivalent training
