Join Our Hospice Volunteer Team Throughout Illinois
Staying true to our founding mission, Gemini Hospice in Morton Grove, IL, has created a comprehensive and diverse Volunteer Program. By dedicating just one hour a week, you can positively impact your life and the lives of patients and their families in many meaningful ways.
Patient and Family Services
Become a key member of the care team by making regular visits that may involve sharing music, conversation, reading, or writing letters. Engage in the patient’s hobbies, assist with life review using photo albums and keepsakes, conduct pet therapy sessions, offer caregivers or family members time to run errands and enjoy personal moments, or even help with errands for the family.
Administrative and Office Services
Support the office staff with clerical tasks, mailings, and data entry related to patient care. Experienced volunteers assist the volunteer coordinator with training, educational activities, and recruitment efforts.
Bereavement Services
Offer emotional support, companionship, and help to grieving families, loved ones, and/or caregivers.
Volunteer Training and Requirements
Volunteer Training
Patient care and family services volunteers undergo a comprehensive training program that introduces them to the history, philosophy, and scope of hospice work. The training includes contributions from various care team members, such as social workers, spiritual care counselors, bereavement coordinators, the director of patient care, and seasoned volunteers, providing participants with a well-rounded understanding of hospice services. Once the training is complete, volunteers are paired with a volunteer coordinator who accompanies them on their first assignment. Volunteers receive ongoing support through close supervision, follow-up, and monthly group meetings focused on continued education, stress management, and self-care techniques to ensure they have the resources and guidance needed for success. Due to the commitment required for training, patient care and family services volunteers are expected to serve for at least one year. Office volunteers, on the other hand, complete a training specific to their duties, with a commitment of six months or one full semester for students.
Requirements
Volunteers for patient and family services must be 18 years or older. Interested individuals must submit an application, and those working directly with patients and families are required to undergo a TB test, physical examination, background check, and drug screening.
Make an impact in your life and the life of a hospice patient by dedicating just one hour a week. Call (847) 324-6967. to get started.