Getting Started
We are committed to the highest quality of care for patients & families, and the highest standards of support & education for our volunteers. Due to the sensitive nature of end-of-life care, volunteers are carefully selected and trained. Our volunteer coordinator, Diana Ezrine, welcomes your calls for information about volunteering: 770-219-0276.
To get started, we ask the following from all of our volunteers:
- Complete a volunteer application. Please mail or scan your completed application to:
- Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 222, Gainesville, Georgia 30501, Attention: Diana Ezrine, Volunteer Coordinator
- diana.ezrine@nghs.com
- Complete personnel requirements, such as:
- Application and other forms
- Immunization Record – documentation of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Tuberculosis Skin Test (two step) – provided as part of volunteer training (basic screening costs covered by Hospice)
- Background Check (costs covered by Hospice)
- Automobile Insurance
- Driver’s License
- If you have experienced a recent loss, we ask that you wait one year before volunteering in homes with patients and families.
- Attend all training sessions for the type of volunteer work you want to do. Please refer to our events calendar for upcoming training sessions
After completing personnel file and training sessions, commit to volunteer for a period of weeks, months or years. We work with you and your schedule. We have opportunities for seasonal, time limited and long term volunteers.
Volunteer Opportunities & Training Requirements
Activities Volunteer for Seniors
Role:
- Assists with activities such as Bingo or Crafts in Assisted Living Facilities
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Three (3) hours site specific training and completion of volunteer file
Administrative & Clerical Volunteer
Role:
- Provides clerical support in the hospice office
Training Required:
- Four (4) hour basic volunteer training
- Completion of personnel file
Bereavement Volunteer
Role:
- Assists Bereavement staff with providing grief support to families of hospice patients
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Four (4) hour position specific bereavement support training and completion of volunteer file
Camp Braveheart Volunteer
Role:
- Assists Bereavement staff with providing grief support camps for kids
Training Required:
- Four (4) hour bereavement volunteer training
- Completion of personnel file
Community Outreach Volunteer
Role:
- Assists hospice staff with public speaking, health fairs and community events
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Two (2) hour position specific training with hospice nurse liaison
Hospital Team Volunteer
Role:
- Provides weekly drop-in visits to hospice patients hospitalized at Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Two (2) hour site specific training & completion of personnel file
Long Term Care (LTC) Team Volunteer
Role:
- Provides company to hospice patients in long term care residences
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Two (2) hour site specific training & completion of personnel file
Meal Assistance Volunteer
Role:
- Assists patients living in facilities with their meal
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Two (2) hour site specific training & completion of personnel file
Memory Bear Volunteer
Role:
- Sews “Memory Bears” for families of hospice patients
Training Required:
- Two (2) hour training
- Completion of “practice bear” and personnel file
Patient & Family Support Volunteer
Role:
- Stays with patient while caregiver takes a break from care giving inside or away from the home
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Four (4) hours comfort care training with shadowing opportunity available & completion of personnel file
Pet Therapy
Role:
- Credentialing through an established pet credentialing program
- Pet and owner/handler provide supportive visits to patients and families
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Completion of personnel file
Skilled or Professional Volunteer
Role:
- Certification/Licensure requirements may apply
- Provides a professional skill like cosmetology, pet therapy, nursing, massage, manicures, music, media etc.
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- One (1) hour position specific training and completion of personnel file
Special Projects Volunteer
Role:
- Makes gowns, bibs, catheter bag covers, pillows, care bags, wooden memory boxes, blankets etc.
Training Required:
- One (1) hour training
- Completion of personnel file – requirements vary by project
Spiritual Care Volunteer
Role:
- Professional education/credentialing required
- Provides spiritual support to patients and families
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Four (4) hours position specific training and completion of personnel file
Veteran to Veteran Volunteer
Role:
- Visits hospice patients who are veterans & assist staff with thank you presentations
Training Required:
- Eight (8) hour volunteer general training
- Completion of personnel file
Vigil Care Volunteer
Role:
- Sits at the beside of dying patients
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Three (3) hour site specific training & completion of personnel file
770-219-0276 or 1-888-572-3900
Hospice License # 069-160H
