New Volunteers
We offer numerous ways to become involved with Pathways Hospice. Some people find their niche in a single service area; others help out in multiple areas; others provide support for special events. Also, if you have a unique skill you would like to share or ideas for other ways you would like to help Pathways Hospice patients, families or staff, please contact Volunteer Services!
Volunteer Opportunities
Administrative
Many volunteers help patients and families by working behind the scenes at Pathways Hospice. Position descriptions vary but include assembling admissions packets, performing data entry for Medical Records, and putting together bereavement mailings.
Bereavement Phone Calling
Volunteers phone family members once a month, checking in to see how everyone is coping and if anyone needs additional support. Volunteers record call information on a form for submission to Pathways Hospice grief counselors who provide follow-up as needed. Calling may be done from your home or office.
Children’s Grief Support
These volunteers assist Pathways Hospice staff with Children's Grief Programs. These positions require additional training specific to pediatric grief. Contact the Volunteer Services to have your name added to the list to receive registration information about our Spring or Fall trainings.
Courier
Couriers deliver prescriptions to home-bound patients.
Events and Fundraising
Throughout the year we need help with special events, both during planning and on-site. Events include our wine tasting and golf tournament.
Grief Support
Grief support volunteers help to ease the transition for grieving family members for up to 13 months from the death of a loved one. We provide additional training on grief support and active listening to help you in this role. Contact the Volunteer Services to have your name added to the list to receive registration information for our Spring or Fall trainings.
Hospice Care Center
Volunteers at our inpatient unit at McKee Medical Center in Loveland assist Pathways Hospice staff in providing essential support to our patients. Volunteer may provide companionship or assist staff with patient care, administrative duties, organization and maintenance of common areas and special projects. As with other volunteer positions which involve interacting with patients and families, we provide additional training on grief support and active listening to help you in this role.
Library
Located in our Fort Collins building and open to the entire community, the Pathways Community Library provides resources for anyone interested in learning more about grief, loss, care-giving, disease process and more. Volunteers help to build and maintain the library.
Patient Care
Many of our volunteers enjoy working directly with patients and families who are receiving Pathways Hospice services. This includes offering companionship, providing caregiver respite, recording life stories, assisting with therapeutic art, offering pet visits and providing household support. These and other activities make a tremendous difference in the lives of Pathways Hospice patients and families.
Professional Services
Community professionals donate valuable services to patients and families. Services have included photography, massage therapy, tax preparers, notary services, beauty care, energy work and more. If you would like to donate a professional service not currently being offered, contact the Volunteer Services and let’s explore the options!
Volunteer sign-up
To sign up to volunteer, call 970.663.3500 or e-mail volunteers@pathways-care.org.
We will be happy to recommend positions which are a good fit for your skills, interests and schedule. Depending on the volunteer role you seek, as part of the application we may require a complete OSHA and Confidentiality self-study packet and post-quiz, a drug screen and/or background check, certifications or licensure in your professional field, or insurance information.
Orientation
All volunteers are invited to attend an Pathways Hospice orientation, offered twice per year in conjunction with the patient/family care training. Schedule>>
Training
For volunteers wanting to work directly with patients and families, we require a volunteer training. Many people have called our 20-hour volunteer training a "life-changing experience."
Training topics include:
- The hospice philosophy of care
- Get to know the hospice team
- Direct patient care - the role of the volunteer
- Communication techniques
- Volunteer self-care and boundaries
- Loss exercise
- Signs and symptoms of approaching death
- Spiritual care at the end of life
- Grief support for patients and families
- Privacy and confidentiality issues
Pathways Hospice offers this training twice a year, in the spring and fall. Schedule>>
After attending the principal training, volunteers may then attend training modules specific to their volunteer areas of interest. We offer workshops and continuing educational opportunities throughout the year. |
