505 Montgomery St Ste 1059, SF CA 94111 (415) 874-3000 info@SonataHospiceCares.com

Sonata Hospice

VOLUNTEERS

OVERVIEW

VOLUNTEERS A vital part of hospice is the carefully selected and well-trained volunteers who work alongside the professional staff. These special people provide many types of support for patients and those coping with terminal illness, grief and loss. They are good listeners, nonjudgmental, adaptable and have a strong desire to reach out with love and concern to others. Volunteers may be used on a regular schedule or on a call-when-needed basis and are not medically trained.

Volunteer Types

There are two types of volunteers:

Patient Care Volunteers are part of a patient’s care team. They make home visits to offer companionship for patients and relief for caregivers. Examples of patient care volunteer opportunities include pet visits, reading to a patient, assisting with a hobby, listening and providing companionship.

Organizational Volunteers do not work directly with patients and families. Examples of organizational volunteer opportunities include work in Sonata Hospice’s office to support our care team or help patients and families through indirect support, such as assisting with programs, creating special memories for holidays, patient birthdays and anniversaries, planting flowers or mowing a yard for a patient that is unable to continue doing so, and helping with other needs of our patients and families.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might enjoy volunteering for Sonata Hospice!

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Volunteer Training

Hospice 101 is a brief introductory class for organizational volunteers, and hospice helpers. The class is also open to anyone who is interested in learning about hospice.

Direct Service Training is a 20 hour program for patient support and 11th hour volunteers, it is also open to anyone who is interested in learning more about hospice.

Includes the following sessions:

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might enjoy volunteering for Sonata Hospice!

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VOLUNTEER JOB

DESCRIPTION

TIME COMMITMENT

TRAINING REQUIRED

Patient and Family Care and Support

Volunteer is matched with a hospice patient. If the patient is at home, the volunteer will also help with the family providing a variety of supportive services.

Up to 4 hours

16 hours

Office Support

Volunteer will work in the office supporting the office and field staff. Opportunities include: data entry, mailings, attending health fairs and other clerical work.

Opportunities are available intermittentily throughout the year. Time Commitment is flexible.

4 hours

11th Hour Volunteer

Volunteer is on standby to sit with patient in their home, a skilled facility or the hospital as they transition from this life to death.

Assignments are infrequent but usually require 4 to 8 hours

16 hours

Palliative Paws
Pets Visiting Patients

Volunteer and their certified therapy animal visit patient in their home or skilled facility. Visits provide social interaction, comfort and companionship.

1 to 2 times a month

16 hours

Hospice Helpers or Teen Volunteers

Helpers do specific, one time assignments such as baking, sewing, gardening or cleaning. Teens must be at least 16 years old; assignments will vary.

Varies per assignment

4 to 16 hours

Hospice Liaison

Represents hospice to their Church or workplace; helps with information distribution and referrals.

1 to 2 hours per month

4 hours