Volunteer Information

Volunteer Information

Volunteers are an integral part of our program and are at the heart of all we do. Hospice
is the only healthcare entity required by Medicare to provide volunteer services and
Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah is proud to have a robust volunteer program.

What Qualifies You To Be a Volunteer?

If you have time to serve, an excellent listening ear and a compassionate heart, you can
be a hospice volunteer. You do not have to have a background in healthcare or any
particular experience as we provide the training for you. Hospice volunteers must
possess excellent listening skills and have a heart for serving others.

What is the Time Commitment?

Whether you can give 5 hours a week or 5 hours a month, hospice can use you. There is
no time commitment to volunteering. If you are someone who travels often or is unavailable for months at a time, hospice can still use you!

Volunteer Opportunities

One of the great things that sets our hospice apart from others is our robust volunteer program. We have volunteers that support our program in a multitude of ways. If you have a caring heart, a desire to serve and/or a special talent to share, reach out today! We would love to talk to you about our opportunities and have you join our team!

• Administrative Volunteers: Administrative volunteers provide great support to our office staff by assisting with various clerical duties and making our weekly tuck-in calls to patients.
• Bereavement Volunteers: Bereavement volunteers provide support to our bereavement department by assisting with clerical needs, helping with support groups, and by making follow up phone calls to the bereaved.
• Patient Care Volunteers: Patient care volunteers provide non-medical support to our patients and families. Their support may include sitting respite for the caregiver, providing companionship, running errands, helping with laundry or other light household duties, meal assistance or simply being a friend. Most patient assignments are a commitment of 2-4 hours a week.
• Complementary Therapy Volunteers: Complementary Therapy volunteers provide an array of complementary services to include haircuts, healing touch, life review, musical support, massage therapy, pet visitation and Reiki. For services that provide a license or certification, the volunteer must present an active copy to hospice upon hire. For pet visitation volunteers, the dog must be properly certified/trained from a reputable organization such as Therapy Dog International (TDI) and proof must be provided to hospice along with up-to-date vaccination records.
• Shenandoah House Volunteers: Shenandoah House volunteers provide support to our hospice house team. Their support may include greeting visitors and guests, answering phones, sitting with patients, responding to call bells, gardening, assisting patients with ordering meals and providing meal prep, light housekeeping and assisting staff as needed.
• Special Project Volunteers: Special project volunteers provide “behind the scene” support to our program in very unique ways. Some ways that they support our program are: baking, knitting, sewing and quilting.
• Veteran Volunteers: Hospice is part of the We Honor Veterans (WHV) program and veteran volunteers are greatly needed to aid in the recognition process with our veteran patients. If you served our country, hospice can use you in a very rewarding way!
• Gardening Volunteers: Do you have a green thumb or a love for gardening? Gardening volunteers do all the planting, weeding, and general upkeep of the beautiful gardens that surround the Shenandoah House as well as the serene wooded area where families can visit for a time of reflection. Our gardens provide tranquil space for all.

Why Should I Volunteer?

Volunteering for hospice is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. Walking alongside someone at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives is such an honor and a privilege. Many volunteers come to us with a desire to give back after experiencing hospice care for their own loved one. Others simply want to make a difference in someone else’s life in a meaningful way. Volunteering for hospice extends the opportunity for you to continue growing, learning and blossoming in your own life. As one patient once stated, “family is not always who you are born with.”

How Do I Become A Volunteer?

All volunteers go through a 3-step process. This process assures our patients and families
that our volunteers are properly trained and screened to provide the best and most
trusted care possible. Those interested in becoming a volunteer will:

• Attend our volunteer training program “Living at the End of Life” which is a required training for anyone wishing to volunteer. 
• Complete a volunteer application, provide references and undergo an interview with
  our Volunteer Coordinator.
• Visit human resources and employee health departments to complete proper onboarding materials (background checks, drug screening, TB test, etc.). All volunteers are required to receive a flu vaccine and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

If you are interested in more information about our volunteer training or our program in general, please call the hospice office at (540) 332-4909 and ask to speak to someone in our volunteer department or submit an inquiry to the volunteer team.

Are You Interested in Becoming a Hospice Volunteer?

We would love to welcome you to our amazing team of volunteers!  Our training program is offered several times per year and is an interactive course designed to equip volunteers with all the tools and education needed to support hospice patients and programs.  Please click the link below to learn more about our training and/or to register for our next class. 

Current Volunteer Resource Center

To access your annual mandatory education, please click this link.