Hospice Volunteers Needed — No Experience Required, Just a Big Heart!

Volunteers are an integral part of the hospice care team and we encourage you to learn more about the many opportunities that are available to share your experience, passion, time, talent, and yourself. Simply fill out the form above and our hospice volunteer supervisor will contact you.

Volunteers are a vital part of the hospice care team

Hospice care for patients began as a grass-roots movement made up of volunteers, and volunteering became such an important component of hospice care that the Federal government formally recognized it when they enacted hospice care being covered by Medicare in 1982.

It is actually written into Federal law that 5% of all hospice care hours must be provided by community volunteers. So your involvement as a volunteer not only makes a huge difference to the lives and care of patients and families, it helps us meet an important requirement that only you, as a member of the community, can help us fulfill.

Volunteer in the ways that are most comfortable or meaningful for you

There are a wide variety of ways you can volunteer and make a difference in the lives of people in your local community. Some forms of volunteering put in direct contact with patients and their families, which many people find profoundly gratifying and satisfying in ways they never imagined. Others can provide critical administrative or program support at business offices. Some of the many types of volunteering opportunities available at VHS of New Jersey Hospice include:

• Patient visits and support – spending time with visiting with patients in their home, hospital, or care facility. These visits can include talking, reading, or just being there for companionship, watching TV or listening to the radio.
• Administrative work – volunteers are important contributors behind the scenes in many ways and can assist with clerical tasks in our offices, helping out on the phones, or with mailings.
• Program support – There are many ways that volunteers can help with scheduling events, contacting program participants, or assisting with follow up activities.
• Special skills and hobbies – whatever passion or hobby you have can be something special to share with a patient or family to brighten their day. Music, painting, gardening, cooking, or anything you love to do can probably be part of volunteering.

How can I get involved?

There is an application process and some training involved, but we offer many convenient times and locations to receive the basic training to become a volunteer. The cost of any medical screening will be covered by Meridian Health. We provide ongoing support, supervision, and counseling of volunteers every step of the way to assure a positive and rewarding experience.

Interested in becoming a hospice volunteer?

Email your full name and contact information to Ryan.Mackey@VHSofNJ.com, our supervisor of volunteer services and he will contact you shortly. You can also call him at 862-274-0419 for more information. Thank you for considering becoming a hospice volunteer. We look forward to hearing from you to learn more!

Visiting Health Services is a partnership between Hackensack Meridian Health and St. Joseph's Health, providing a one-stop resource for home health care in Passaic, Bergen, and parts of Morris counties.