Hospice Volunteers
Join us
There are many ways to serve as a Hospice Volunteer. You may print and send us your Volunteer
Application 
or call our Volunteer Coordinator at (540) 932-4909 or 332-4909.
Administrative Volunteer
The Administrative Volunteer is carefully selected and trained to be a part of the Hospice team. The function of the administrative volunteer is to provide added support to the hospice staff in all areas of programming except for direct patient care. The administrative volunteer works under the direct supervision of the Volunteer Coordinator. Assignment is according to the needs of the hospice staff and the interests of the volunteer. Training is specific to the task assigned. In-services are offered throughout the year for on-going education and attendance is encouraged. Volunteers are also encouraged to attend one session of each education class offered throughout the year. Volunteers are evaluated annually by the Volunteer Coordinator.
Advisory Board
Current
Advisory Board members
The Hospice Advisory Board is composed of individuals from the community who represent the area serviced by AMC Hospice of the Shenandoah.
Advisory Board Committees: The board provides services through an active committee structure. People interested in helping hospice may serve on these committees without being member of the Advisory Board.
Patient Care Committee
Serve as a resource group for the Hospice staff. Examine problems identified
by the staff and recommend solutions. Review existing services and make
recommendations for changes and/or expansion. Serve as liaison for the staff to
the Board, and make appropriate recommendations for programs and patient care.
Volunteer training and supervision Make appropriate recommendations for
recruiting, training developing and showing appreciation to volunteers Plan and
supervise operation of Hospice House.
Bereavement
Plan and carry out an annual memorial service in memory of Hospice patients
and in honor of their families. Establish ways to recognize memorial
contributions. Determine other appropriate activities related to memorials.
Develop and implement the Children's bereavement program.
Community Education
Serve as a resource group to Hospice staff for presentation and evaluation
of education programs and events. Make appropriate recommendations for community
education programs. Develop and implement a plan for public relations and
marketing.
Financial Development
Plan and implement all fundraising activities. Develop an annual plan of
fundraising goals and objectives. Develop a five-year plan of fundraising
activities. Present a proposed budget at the Advisory Board meeting each
December. Supervise and review accounting and investments for all funds.
Bereavement Volunteer
The Bereavement Volunteer is carefully selected and trained to be a part of the Hospice team. The specific function of the Bereavement Volunteer is to provide emotional support during the 13-month period following the death of a Hospice patient. The Bereavement Volunteer provides emotional support by using active listening skills, provides education regarding normal grief responses, provides information regarding available community resources, and makes referrals to the Bereavement Coordinator if family member desires visits. The Bereavement Volunteer maintains open communication with the Bereavement Coordinator by reporting events or changes of concern. The Bereavement Volunteer usually volunteers 2-4 hours one day a week to make phone calls from the Hospice office. The Bereavement Volunteer records accurate, timely, and objective documentation on each volunteer activity. The Bereavement Volunteer works under the direct supervision of the Bereavement Coordinator. If the Bereavement Coordinator is unavailable, volunteers should report to the Clinical Coordinator. The office hours are 8:00AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday. In-services are offered throughout the year for on-going education and attendance is encouraged. Volunteers are also encouraged to attend one session of each education class offered throughout the year. The Bereavement Volunteer is evaluated annually by the Bereavement Coordinator.
Camp Dragonfly
Camp Dragonfly provides a caring environment where children and teens gather, share guided activities in the company of loving volunteers and professional staff. The weekend Camp is held each fall in an environment for participants to enjoy nature as well as the camp atmosphere. Through playing and sharing, campers realize that their emotions are normal and that what is happening to them is happening to others. To learn more about Camp Dragonfly, apply as a camper or volunteer, please visit the Camp Dragonfly website (link opens a new window).
Hospice Knitters
The Advisory Board of AMC Hospice purchases teddy bears, better known as "Comfort Bears," for each hospice patient. Knitters are volunteers that knit sweaters for the bears to wear. The Advisory Board provides the pattern and the yarn. It takes approximately 4 hours to knit one sweater. Volunteers place their names on the knitters list and are called upon when sweaters are needed.
Patient Care Volunteer
The Patient Care Volunteer is carefully selected and trained to be a part of the Hospice team. The specific function of the patient care volunteer is to provide care and non-medical support to the patient/family. Patient Care Volunteers are to use listening skills to provide emotional support to the patient or family members. Patient Care Volunteers are to maintain open communication with other team members, reporting events or changes of concern to the hospice case manager. Patient care volunteers usually visit one time per week for 2-4 hours. The volunteer records accurate, timely, and objective documentation on each volunteer activity. The patient care volunteer works under the direct supervision of the Volunteer Coordinator. Any concerns or complaints will be addressed by calling the hospice office at 932-4909 or 332-4909. If the Volunteer Coordinator is unavailable, ask to speak to the Clinical Coordinator. The office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. If an emergency occurs after hours, the on-call system is activated. Assignment is according to the patient/family needs and the interests of the patient care volunteer. Ongoing direction regarding more specific duties on the team is included in team conferences and in-service education. In-services are offered throughout the year for on-going education and attendance is encouraged. Volunteers are also encouraged to attend one session of each education class offered throughout the year. Volunteers are evaluated annually by the Volunteer Coordinator.
Hospice House
We are in the final stages of planning for construction of a Hospice House which will provide a comfortable home-like environment to eligible residents and their families. The house will have four bedrooms and will accommodate patient, visitor and family needs and respect individual needs for independence, respect and dignity. The house will have twenty-four hour compassionate care provided by nurses, personal care assistants and volunteers. Volunteers will be integral to the operation of and care provided by the Hospice House, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator for further information.