How to become a hospice volunteer
Every day Harry Hynes Hospice volunteers have a positive impact on our patients and their families.
Whether providing companionship or offering caregiver relief, each act – no matter how big or small – has deep meaning to those we serve.
Whether you volunteer behind the scenes at one of our office locations or one-on-one with patients and families, you are a valuable member of our hospice team. You will be prepared for your role by a free, comprehensive training program. No previous experience in the medical field is necessary.
Volunteer training
Every volunteer with Harry Hynes Hospice learns about:
- The goals and philosophy of hospice care
- The physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of death and dying
- Listening and communication skills
- Patient and family rights
- Professional Boundaries
- Family relationships
- Grief and Loss
- Spiritual and cultural diversity
- Patient confidentiality
Time commitment
Harry Hynes Hospice will work with your schedule to find the best volunteering time that works with your schedule. Once training has been completed, volunteers determine the time they are able to invest. Whether it’s 6 hours per month or 6 hours per week, all efforts are appreciated and needed.
Hynes Memorial Volunteer Requirements
All volunteers are required to:
- Complete a background check
- Show proof of COVID vaccinations
- Show proof of Influenza vaccine
- Obtain a TB skin test (provided by HHMH)
- Show driver’s license or state ID
- Show proof of auto insurance
The qualities of an effective hospice volunteer
Caring for those at the end-of-life is rewarding, but at times can be challenging.
We look for certain personality characteristics and temperaments including:
Types of Volunteers
Patient/Family Support Volunteers
Are an integral part of the team, helping to ease the stress of the patient and family in a variety of ways:
- Reading to a patient who can no longer read on their own
- Playing board games, cards or watching TV with the patient
- Talking and sharing stories
- Pet Therapy—visiting patients with a certified therapy dog
- Being a presence in the home so the caregiver may have a break
- Providing presence for a patient alone in a facility
Pharmacy Delivery Volunteers (Wichita Only)
- Delivering medications and supplies to patients at their home, the inpatient unit or long-term care facilities from the Wichita office.
Staff Support Volunteers
Are vital to the day-to-day operations of the agency in a variety of ways:
- Providing clerical and other office support to staff at our various locations
- Helping with large mailings (folding, labeling, stuffing envelopes)
Inpatient Unit (IPU) Volunteers
Welcome visitors and families and assist staff at the Harry Hynes Hospice Center at Via Christi-St. Francis in Wichita:
- Providing services at the reception desk
- Assisting staff, patients, families, and visitors
- Companionship for patients and family members
- Baking cookies, making coffee and iced tea, and offering to patients and families
End-of-Life Support/Comfort Crossing Volunteers
- Providing comfort to the patient and their family at the bedside of an actively dying person.
- Providing a unique understanding of the dying process for the family and patient
- Preventing the patient and family members from being alone at the time of death
Bereavement Volunteers
Are trained to serve as a healing presence with the bereaved following the death of their loved one by making phone calls to bereaved family members
Education Volunteers
Provide information to the public about Harry Hynes Hospice by staffing information booths at health/education fairs within the service area
Sewing and Knitting Opportunities
Opportunities are available for those who enjoy sewing and needlework to make hospital gowns, lap blankets, tactile/fidget mats, and bereavement items. No training necessary.
Memory Garden Volunteers
- Our Memory Garden is located in Wichita at the Collective (East of K-96 on East 21st Street)
- Groups or individuals can assist with general maintenance, planting flowers, and upkeep
Join our therapy program
Are you a professional photographer, licensed beautician or certified massage therapist who would like to share your skills? Do you have a certified therapy dog? If so, you may enjoy becoming part of our pet therapy program. Perhaps you have experience in fundraising or marketing? We have a use for many unique skills!
If you choose not to volunteer directly with patients, you may want to help bereavement staff make follow-up calls to family members after their loved one has died or assist our chaplains in spiritual care.
Other options include using your computer skills to volunteer in our administrative offices. We encourage you to discuss your interests and motivation for volunteering with our staff so we can make your experience rewarding.
Volunteer with Harry Hynes Hospice
Many of our locations are actively seeking volunteers.
After completing training, volunteers decide on the amount of time they give. Whether you give a few hours a month or several hours a week; all efforts are appreciated and needed. Please fill out the application below and one of our management team will reach out to you.