Hospice volunteering

Hospice volunteer opportunities

A patient enrolled in the Allina Health New Ulm Medical Center hospice program relies on a full team of caregivers to see them through a challenging period in their lives and an important member of that team is the hospice volunteer.

Volunteers can be helpful not only to a hospice patient but their family members, as well. Especially those who live too far away to help their loved one or family members who have a family of their own to take care of and find it a relief to know that a supportive volunteer is on hand to help.

A hospice volunteer working with patients is able to provide companionship and friendship to patients and relief to caregivers. They can not only lend a listening ear and be a supportive presence, but they can also help with yard work or cleaning that the patient is no longer able to do.

The New Ulm Medical Center hospice program currently has 18 volunteers and welcomes the opportunity to have more volunteers.

How to become a hospice volunteer 

1. Complete the volunteer application. The volunteer application includes application, background study and immunization information.
2. Complete an interview. Once the application has been received and background study approved, the volunteer coordinator will contact you to complete a face-to-face interview.
3. Complete two days (12 hours total) of training which covers topics such as medical ethics, spiritual care, bereavement and self-care.

After the training, hospice volunteers can co-visit patients with a seasoned volunteer and when the volunteer feels comfortable, they will be assigned a patient. Volunteers can meet with patients where ever they call ‘home’—including a care facility, nursing home or their family home.