Hospice volunteering FAQ

What hospice volunteer opportunities are available at Aurora Health Care?

Hospice volunteers fulfill a variety of roles in Aurora Zilber Family Hospice and at individual hospice patients’ residences. Some volunteer duties involve direct contact with hospice patients. Other volunteers work behind the scenes to make life better for patients and help the hospice program run smoothly.

At Aurora Health Care, you’ll find hospice volunteer program positions for a wide range of talents and interests, including:

• Arranging flowers
• Helping with clerical or administrative work for the hospice program
• Playing music for people in hospice and their families
• Providing companionship to people in hospice
• Supporting patient families in person and over the phone

Volunteer coordinators match you to volunteer opportunities based on your personal interests. Be sure to share your interests with us.

How many hospice patients will I be paired with?

In most cases, hospice volunteer coordinators pair you with only one person in-home hospice at a time. That way, you can devote your attention and energy to that person. At Aurora Zilber Family Hospice, volunteers have opportunities to meet many patients throughout their volunteering day.

Do I have to volunteer for a certain number of hours each week or each month?

There is no specific time commitment required to volunteer with people in hospice. However, we encourage you to dedicate time each week or month to working with people in hospice.

Can pet therapy volunteers participate in the hospice volunteer program?

Yes! When completing your hospice volunteer application, indicate your interest in becoming a pet therapy volunteer. Your pet must be certified by Therapy Dogs International, Pet Partners or Pets Helping People. You must also provide proof of annual rabies vaccinations and pet insurance.

What types of tasks are volunteers not responsible for?

Hospice volunteers do not provide medical care of any kind to people in hospice. Additionally, you are not responsible for tasks such as:

• Providing any personal care duties, including toileting and dressing
• Feeding a patient
• Medicating a patient
• Transferring a patient from the bed to a chair or vice versa
• Transporting patients

What do I do if a patient is in crisis?

Aurora’s hospice program is only for people at the end of life. As a result, they may have complex medical needs that can change from day to day.

If the person you’re paired with experiences a medical emergency while you are volunteering with them, you are not alone. During orientation, you receive detailed contact information for Aurora’s hospice medical staff. Whether you work at Zilber Family Hospice or in a patient’s residence, you will be able to quickly reach medical professionals who can best help the patient.

Application

How do I apply to participate in the hospice volunteer program?

Your volunteer journey starts by completing and submitting Aurora’s hospice volunteer application. When you complete the application as thoroughly as possible, it helps us quickly find the volunteer opportunities that suit you best. Please contact our volunteer coordinators with any questions you may have about completing the application.

What is the minimum age to volunteer with people in hospice?

Hospice volunteers must be at least 18 years old to sit with patients. Volunteers age 16 and older may work in the café.

Are there hospice volunteer opportunities close to me?

Aurora’s Zilber Family Hospice residential facility is in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. However, we serve hospice patients in their own residences all across the state. Our volunteer coordinators match you with patients in or near your geographical area.

Health screenings

Am I required to have certain immunizations to volunteer?

All Aurora hospice volunteer program participants must provide proof of immunization with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Additionally, immunization with the flu vaccine is mandatory during flu season.

When and where will I be screened for tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) screening is required for all hospice volunteers. Your volunteer coordinator helps you arrange this quick and simple screening test during the orientation process.

Aurora offers TB tests at many of our hospitals and clinics throughout the health care system. Your volunteer coordinator helps you determine where and when to complete your screening.

Is a background check required to volunteer in hospice?

All Aurora hospice volunteer program participants must agree to and complete a criminal background check. Your volunteer coordinator arranges your background check. In most cases, we complete background checks online. However, we may request paper forms.

Orientation

Why is the hospice volunteer program orientation so long?

Aurora’s hospice care program provides care only for people at the end of their lives. Our patients often have special challenges that many people are not familiar with.

Our volunteer orientation process is long because it takes time to develop a thorough understanding of the end-of-life issues patients may face. Throughout orientation, you will learn how to adapt to and handle these types of issues in a compassionate, positive way.

What should I expect during orientation?

Aurora’s hospice volunteer program orientation consists of two parts: learning modules completed at your own pace and in-person training.

Learning modules, which you complete online, cover topics specific to people in hospice. Some of these topics include:

• Confidentiality, HIPAA and patient rights
• Death, dying and grief basics
• Hospice goals, philosophy, mission and services
• Hospice staffing and resources
• Procedures to follow in case of emergency
• Volunteer duties and responsibilities

Most people complete the learning modules within 10 total hours. You can complete each module at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

In-person orientation is also provided for people volunteering in Zilber Family Hospice, Aurora’s 18-bed residential hospice facility. Over a couple of hours, we familiarize you with the facility itself, the medical staff and your specific volunteer duties. New volunteers will also shadow more experienced volunteers as they learn the ropes.

If you choose to volunteer in a patient’s private residence, your orientation includes a shadowing experience with a more experienced volunteer. Shadowing allows you to witness a typical volunteer visit, meet a patient and receive additional support.

Have more questions about volunteering for hospice?

Contact our volunteer coordinators with any questions about volunteering for hospice that aren’t addressed in this FAQ.

Learn the benefits. Read about the rewarding experiences of two hospice volunteers.

Apply now

Apply to be a hospice volunteer.