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Volunteer Reception Schedule - November 2008 - Click Here to View or Print
Volunteer Calendar November 2008 - Click Here to View or Print

Since the Middle Ages, volunteers have been at the heart of the hospice movement, and that continues today at the Foothills Country Hospice.  Volunteers complement the work of paid staff as everyone contributes in their own way to providing comfort and support to patients and their loved ones.

There are many volunteer opportunities including reception, patient support, housekeeping, assisting the hospice cook, landscaping and fund-raising.  Some volunteers choose to share their professional expertise by serving in advisory capacities, as a member of the hospice board of directors or as members of other special committees.

Volunteers can make a real difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones. The opportunity to journey with a person who is completing the last days or weeks of life can bring untold rewards and satisfaction to hospice volunteers and staff.

Once prospective volunteers have completed the basic application and screening requirements that allow them to be accepted as hospice volunteers, the hospice provides the necessary training and orientation to equip volunteers in their “jobs”.

If you would like to support the Foothills Country Hospice as a volunteer, please check out [the document links] or contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
  1. FCHS Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities  pdf
  2. FCHS Volunteer Requirements   pdf
  3. FCHS Volunteer Confidentiality Form   pdf
  4. FCHS Code of Conduct   pdf
  5. FCHS Confidential Volunteer Application Form   Word (complete and email) pdf
  6. FCHS Parental Guardian Consent Form   pdf

 

 

 

Volunteer Coordinator 
Foothills Country Hospice Society
Box 274 Okotoks AB T1S 1A5

Telephone 403-995-4673 Ext 202
Email volunteercoordinator@countryhospice.org

 

 

 
 
 

 

  1. FCHS Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

 Foothills Country Hospice
 Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
 

The following is a brief summary of upcoming volunteer opportunities.  More detailed job descriptions are being developed so duties will change from time-to-time.   

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the initial recruitment and screening of volunteers; planning development, assessment and recognition processes for volunteers; and for being a volunteer advocate.  Day-to-day supervision will come from the staff or committee members which the volunteer supports.

For more information call the Volunteer Coordinator at (403) 995-4673 x202 or email volunteercoordinator@countryhospice.org

  1. Reception—first contact with callers, patients, families, and visitors.  Answering phones, logging visitors, possible clerical work.  Reports to hospice management team.

  2. Clerical/admin—typing, filing, special projects (commemorative scrapbook).  Reports to hospice management team.

  3. Patient/family orientation tours—introducing prospective and new patients and their families to the hospice home, staff and volunteers. Reports to hospice management team.

  4. Direct patient support—“being present”, listening, reading, helping with personal grooming, cutting up food, reporting patient/family-related concerns to staff, distributing snacks from food/beverage cart as scheduled. Reports to clinical management team.

  5. Patient errands—may include picking up grooming supplies, washing patient’s personal laundry, driving visitors to and from hospice, or other tasks as  approved by Volunteer Coordinator and as requested by or on behalf of patient.  Drivers require clean driver’s abstract and proof of insurance ($2million liability and endorsement to carry passengers).  Reports to hospice management team.

  6. Fund-raising—participate or spearhead fund-raising events on behalf of hospice.   Reports to fund development committee.

  7. Landscaping (spring 2008)—assists with completing new landscaping and ongoing maintenance.  May include planting, pruning, weeding, etc. as directed.  Reports to landscaping committee.

  8. Housekeeping—could include kitchen laundry, linen and towels, dusting, vacuuming, sweeping snow away from doors.  Reports to hospice House Manager/Housekeeper.

  9. Kitchen assistance—could include food preparation (chopping, mixing), snack/meal preparation, kitchen/dining area/coffee station restocking, distributing snacks/meals and kitchen clean-up.  May require food safety training.  Reports to hospice Chef.

  10. Equipment cleaning—items such as wheelchairs, lifts, etc.  need to be cleaned and disinfected after use. Reports to clinical management team.

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  1. FCHS Volunteer Requirements

  1. Prior to joining the hospice team, prospective volunteers will be required to:

  2. complete and submit a Confidential Volunteer Application Form, preferably by e-mail.

  3. participate in a confidential interview with the Volunteer Coordinator.

  4. provide two references.  Preferred references would be from previous volunteer work, employment or personal reference from a non-relative.  The Foothills Country Hospice conducts reference checks and by signing the application form, you grant permission for any named person, agency or employer to be contacted.

  5. provide a current criminal record check (less than 6 months old) which is required of all staff and volunteers.  There is no cost for volunteers as long as you have a letter from the hospice.   Once I receive your application form, I will send you a letter which you can take with you when you apply for the record check.

  6. submit certification of any qualifications or courses cited on page 1 of the application form.

  7. provide a clean five-year driver’s abstract ONLY IF you are volunteering to do errands for patients, to drive on behalf of the hospice, or to drive landscaping equipment.

  8. review, understand and sign a confidentiality agreement.

  9. review, understand and sign a volunteer code of conduct.

  10. review, understand and sign a role description indicating understanding of and agreement with the role associated with the particular volunteer “job” which you are taking on.

  11. participate in orientation and training sessions as provided by the Society.  Participation in and completion of training does not confer the right to be accepted or retained as a volunteer with the Foothills Country Hospice.

  12. obtain written parental/guardian consent for volunteers under 18 years of age.

  13. sign a liability release form only if you are participating in any volunteer activity on behalf of the hospice, which, in the sole judgement of the Foothills Country Hospice Society, may put you at risk of bodily injury or death.

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  1. FCHS Volunteer Confidentiality Form

I, the undersigned, __________________________________ (Name of volunteer) agree that I will hold in confidence the identities of persons utilizing the Foothills Country Hospice services, their client records and will divulge such information, orally or in writing, only to those Hospice Society volunteers or staff as authorized by the Hospice Society whose duties require them to have a "need-to-know."

Without such "need-to-know", such information will not be divulged to any person.

I further agree to conform to the best of my ability to the Foothills Country Hospice Society requirements respecting the marking, control, transmission, reproduction, handling, storage and destruction of records and information.

I agree to allow the Foothills Country Hospice Society to photograph me and allow reproduction of such photographs to further the mission of the society.

Personnel are provided with security privileges in accordance with individual job responsibilities, whereby such authorizations may enable access to confidential personnel, personal or donor information, beyond the scope of their job responsibility and/or geographic area. Any unwarranted review and/or disclosure of confidential information will be considered a breach of this Confidentiality Agreement and subject to consequences including immediate termination as a volunteer of the Foothills Country Hospice Society.

I acknowledge that in the event of my breach of this Confidentiality Agreement, the Society and other third parties may have a claim (for damages) against me.

                                                                                                (Signature) and (Date)

                                                                                                (Witness) and (Date)

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  1. FCHS Code of Conduct

POLICY:

The Foothills Country Hospice Society has a mission to provide compassionate, holistic care to persons with a terminal illness and to the people they love.   In pursuing its goals, the Society serves the interests of those diagnosed with terminal illness.  In delivering service to the Foothills residents, employees and volunteers work with each other and the public at large.  The following Code of Conduct (“the Code”) is designed to allow the Society to preserve its long tradition of integrity and credibility with the public and within the Society.

This Code applies to all direct service volunteers (those in face to face contact with the Foothills Country Hospice Society residents and their family members), Members, Board of Directors, all employees (permanent full-time, hourly, fixed term contract, permanent part-time, and any third party service provider in face-to-face contact with our residents.

The Code is organized into categories, as follows:

 

Service:

1.     Always act with fairness, honesty, integrity and openness; respect the opinions of others and treat all with equality and dignity without regard to gender, race, colour, creed, and ancestry, place of origin, political beliefs, religion, marital status, disability, age, or sexual orientation.  

2.     Promote the mission and objectives of the Foothills Country Hospice Society in all dealings with the public on behalf of the Society and within the Foothills Country Hospice Society.

3.     Provide a positive and valued experience for those receiving service within and outside the Foothills Country Hospice Society.

Accountability:

1.     Act with honesty and integrity and in accordance with any professional standards and / or governing laws and legislation that have application to the responsibilities you perform for or on behalf of the Foothills Country Hospice Society.

2.     Comply with both the letter and the spirit of any training or orientation provided to you by the Foothills Country Hospice Society in connection with those responsibilities.

3.     Adhere to the policies and procedures of the Foothills Country Hospice Society and support the decisions and directions of the Board and its delegated authority.

4.     Take responsibility for your actions and decisions.  Follow reporting lines to facilitate the effective resolution of problems. Ensure that you do not exceed the authority of your position.  

Conflict of Interest:

Conflict of interest arises when a person participates in a decision about a matter (including any contract or arrangement of employment, leasing, sale or provision of goods and services) which may benefit or be seen to benefit that person because of his/her direct or indirect monetary or financial interests affected by or involved in that matter.

It is the duty of any person taking part in the operations of the Foothills Country Hospice Society to adhere to the Conflict of Interest Policy at all times. In the event that such a matter arises, the person shall formally disclose the interest, refrain from attempting to persuade or influence other persons participating in the decision, and shall not cast any vote on the matter.

Confidentiality:

1.     Respect and maintain the confidentiality of information gained as a volunteer or employee, including, but not limited to, all computer software and files, the Foothills Country Hospice Society business documents and printouts, and all volunteer, employee membership, donor/supporter records and resident files.

2.     Respect and maintain the confidentiality of individual personal information about persons affected by terminal illness gained through your role in the Foothills Country Hospice Society, for example, in support groups, meetings or in service programs.

Personal/Sexual Harassment: 

Sexual harassment is any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature that one would find to be unwanted or unwelcome by any individual, or that might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by that individual as placing a condition of sexual nature on an employment or career development. 

Personal harassment means any conduct whether verbal or physical that is discriminating in nature, based upon another person’s race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political beliefs, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, age or sexual orientation.  It is discriminatory behaviour, directed at an individual that is unwanted or unwelcome and causes substantial distress in that person and serves no legitimate work-related purpose.

The Foothills Country Hospice Society has a zero tolerance policy with respect to Personal/Sexual Harassment. Personal/Sexual Harassment in any form is strictly prohibited and may be grounds for termination as a volunteer, or, in the case of an employee, immediate dismissal for just cause without notice or pay in lieu of notice.

Procedures for the care of others who may be vulnerable because of age or disability/illness:

In the course of providing the Foothills Country Hospice Society service, our volunteers, employees, and third party service providers may come into contact with vulnerable individuals. These individuals are those who may be at risk of harm or harassment because of their age or disability/illness.

When this occurs, the following procedures should be followed:

1.     Where practical to do so, the Foothills Country Hospice Society related one-on-one meetings with residents who may be vulnerable is conducted in the hospice setting, or in an area that is private but visible to others.

2.     The Foothills Country Hospice Society volunteers, employees, and third party service providers who seek to initiate personal contact with vulnerable residents outside the Foothills Country Hospice Society facility, are asked to seek prior approval from the appropriate employee/leadership volunteer, and, in the case of children/youth, from the parent/ guardian.

Implementation

Strict observance of the Code is fundamental to the activity and reputation of the Foothills Country Hospice Society.   It is essential that all direct service program volunteers (those in face to face contact with the Society’s residents), Executive, Board members, volunteers, all employees (permanent full-time, hourly, fixed term contract, permanent part-time), and any other third party service provider in face-to-face contact with our residents adhere to this Code.  They will certify this by signing a Declaration that they have read and will abide by this Code.

Management has the responsibility of ensuring compliance with all Codes and Policies of Foothills Country Hospice Society.
 

Code of Conduct Declaration
 

I, _____________________________,  (Employee/Volunteer – please print)  have read, understand and agree to abide

by the Code of Conduct of the Foothills Country Hospice Society and I understand that such adherence is a condition of my employment or volunteer work.  I understand that a violation of the Code of Conduct may be grounds for termination as a volunteer or in the case of an employee immediate dismissal for just cause without notice or pay in lieu of notice.

Signed this ________________ day of ____________________, 20_____.

                                                                              (Volunteer/Employee - Signature)

                                                                             (Witness)

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  1. FCHS Confidential Volunteer Application Form

Name:   ___________________________________  Date:  ___________________________________      

Daytime phone:  ___________________________  Evening phone:  __________________________

Street/mailing address:  _______________________________________________________________

Town/Postal code:  _____________________  e-mail:  ______________________________________

Best time to contact you: ___ morning ___ afternoon ___ evening ___ weekend

Attach your resumé or complete the following two sections:

Are you currently: ___ employed  ___ self employed ___ student ___ semi-retired ___ retired  ___ volunteer ___ other (please specify)                                                        

Employer/Organization (begin with most recent)       Title/Position        Employee/ Volunteer       Start/End Dates

_________________________________________        ____________       ___________________       _______________

_________________________________________        ____________       ___________________       _______________ 

_________________________________________        ____________       ___________________       _______________

_________________________________________        ____________       ___________________       _______________

 

Relevant certification:  ___ palliative care ___ bereavement care ___ first aid (level      ) ___ CPR (level      ) ___ cross-cultural training  ___ mediation/conflict resolution ___ valid driver’s license ___ other (please specify) 

Please list any hobbies, skills or special interests which you would be willing to share with patients, families, staff and/ or other volunteers.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Are there languages in addition to English which you would be willing to utilize to assist patients or their families who do not speak English?  If so, please specify.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

What experience have you had with death?  Have you experienced a life-threatening illness in, or bereavement of, a family member or close friend within the past 2 years?  Please describe.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

In this community, there are many organizations which are seeking volunteer assistance.  What factors contributed to your desire to volunteer at the Foothills Country Hospice?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Our hospice home is fully accessible and smoke-free.   Do you have any other physical requirements we should be aware of which will help us to assist you in your volunteer work?  If so, please describe.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Which of these categories of hospice volunteer work do you want to assist us with: 

___ reception  ___ clerical/admin  ___ patient/family orientation  ___ patient support 

___ patient errands ___ fund-raising  ___ landscaping ___ housekeeping ___ kitchen assistance

___ childrens room ___ cleaning equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) ___ other (please specify)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

When would you typically be available to volunteer (please check all that apply)

Day                     6 – 9 am    9 am - noon    noon – 3 pm    3 – 6 pm    6 – 9 pm    9 pm - midnight    Midnight –  6 am

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Frequency     ___ daily    ___ weekly    ___ biweekly    ___ monthly    ___ flexible   

Holidays (please specify) ___________________________________________________________________________

Are you legally entitled to work/volunteer in Canada  ___ yes ___ no

I understand that the information provided in this application to volunteer with the

Foothills Country Hospice Society is part of the permanent volunteer file which will be kept confidential and used only to assist in completing the volunteer screening process and in matching my skills and interests with the needs of the hospice. 

___ I have read and understand the Volunteer Requirements document. I hereby certify that all the information included in this application form is true and complete.

Signature __________________________________________  Date __________________________________________

The Foothills Country Hospice conducts reference checks and by signing above, you grant permission for any named person, agency or employer to be contacted.  Please list references here:

Name:

Name:

Phone number:

Phone number:

Title:

Title:

Organization:

Organization:

Relationship:

Relationship:

Time known:

Time known:

For office use only:

Reference #1 Checked by                                           Date                     

Reference #2 Checked by                                           Date                     

Criminal record check received date                              

Certicates (list)                                                                                                                 

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  1. FCHS Parental Guardian Consent Form

Dear Parent/Legal Guardian,

Young people who have not reached the age of majority who are interested in volunteering for the Foothills Country Hospice Society must have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.  We ask that you please read and sign this form acknowledging your understanding and approval of your child’s volunteer responsibilities.  By completing this form, we will can complete the volunteer intake process on behalf of the applicant.  If s/he is accepted by the volunteer program, your continued involvement and support will help us in providing a fun and rewarding experience for your family member.

I understand that (please print applicant’s name)                                            , wishes to be considered for a volunteer opportunity at the Foothills Country Hospice and I hereby give my permission for him/her to serve in this capacity, if/when accepted.   I understand that necessary orientation and training will be provided to ensure the safe and responsible performance of his/her duties.  S/he will be expected to meet all the requirements of the position (role description attached), including regular attendance and adherence to the agency policies and procedures.

If you have any questions/concerns regarding this form or your child’s volunteer involvement, please contact Anne Bouscal, volunteer coordinator, at (403) 995-4673 X202 or volunteercoordinator@countryhospice.org.

 

Volunteer position

 

Parent/guardian name

 

Address

 

Relationship to prospective volunteer

 

Phone

Signature

 

Date

 

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