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Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are a vital part of the fabric of San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. Our volunteer base comes to us from a diverse set of backgrounds and fill a variety of volunteer needs. Some volunteers work directly with patients; other volunteers answer phones, assist with clerical duties, speak in the community, take photos, deliver medical supplies to patients, help with data entry, and perform a multitude of other tasks to support the agency. Each volunteer is unique but all our volunteers have one thing in common – a heart of volunteer service. If you have a desire to give back, to make a difference, you’ve come to the right place to volunteer.
if you have questions, please don't hesitate to Contact our Volunteer Resources team.
| What area of volunteer work interests you? | Ready to volunteer? |
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Patient Care Specialty Care Organizational and Clerical |
Already a volunteer? Check our Volunteer News and References page...
San Diego Hospice Volunteer Videos
Watch our San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine volunteers in action!
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| Haircuts @ Home | San Diego Hospice Volunteers | Pawsitive Pals Volunteer Video | Undying Energy |
Like what you see? View all the San Diego Hospice videos on our YouTube Channel.
Volunteer for Patient Care
Our patient care volunteers typically visit patients in their homes or in long-term care settings for up to 4 hours per week. These volunteers are part of a patient’s care team. Patient care volunteers provide:
- Companionship for patients – A comforting, compassionate presence is a powerful thing. Share a story, play cards, watch movies, read aloud, actively listen, just be.
- Relief for caregivers – Caregiving can be an all-consuming, exhausting responsibility. Provide a much-needed break for a spouse, child, parent, sibling or loved one caring for a patient.
- Other services – Sometimes needs come up that are outside the “norm” of companionship and caregiver relief. Run an errand, pick up some groceries, walk a dog, or help with other tasks, as appropriate.
Download the Volunteer Resources Program – Direct Patient Care Flyer
Patient Care Training
Attendance at orientation, acceptance into our 2-day training class, and successful completion of the training course are required prior to activation as a patient care volunteer.
Our 2-hour orientation allows you to learn more about our agency and allows us to learn more about you.
Our 2-day training class will prepare you for your role as a patient care volunteer. Training is offered five times a year.
Apply To Become a Patient Care Volunteer
Submitting an application is the first step to becoming a volunteer. You will be contacted upon receipt of your application to discuss orientation and training.
Volunteer for Specialty Care
These volunteers lend their specialized skills to patients at a time of their lives when making a difference matters most. A 2‑hour per month minimum commitment is requested for most specialty volunteers. Appropriate licensure/certification is required.
We have needs throughout the County for the following specialty care services:
- Haircut. Nothing lifts the spirits like a good haircut. Our Haircuts @ Home volunteers provide dignity and comfort with every snip.
- Massage. Massage volunteers deliver significant benefits with their therapeutic touch. According to the National Institutes of Health, massage has been proven to reduce anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, depression, and pain.
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Reiki / Healing Touch. Energy therapy volunteers help ease the mind, body, and spirit through their compassionate work with our patients.
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Notary. Helping a patient tie up loose ends, experience a sense of closure, and wrap up “unfinished business” is a priceless gift delivered by our notary volunteers.
- Pawsitive Pals. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce loneliness, depression, stress, and isolation while promoting relaxation and improved morale. Our Pawsitive Pals teams have a remarkable way of connecting with patients on a very special level. Certified dogs and cats of all shapes, sizes, and breeds are welcome.
- Pet Peace of Mind (PPOM). This ground breaking national program is dedicated to keeping hospice patients and their pets together throughout the patients’ end of life journeys. PPOM provides financial assistance and helping hands to patients with limited resources throughout the County. With the help of dedicated volunteers, donors, and community partners, we are able to offer these patients essential services for their dogs and cats, such as limited vet care, grooming, pet food, and dog-walking. Please be aware that there is currently a wait list for the PPOM volunteer program.
- Vet-to-Vet volunteers. These volunteers support our agency's VETERANS MATTER outreach initiative, designed to honor the men and women who have selflessly served our country. The Vet-to-Vet program matches active duty or veteran volunteers with patients that are veterans, providing companionship, caregiver relief, and assistance with special recognition ceremonies. All Vet-to-Vet volunteers must attend a general orientation, complete our two-day patient care volunteer training course, and complete a supplemental training module specific to the needs of veterans.
Apply To Become a Specialty Care Volunteer
Submitting an application is the first step to becoming a volunteer. You will be contacted upon receipt of your application to discuss orientation and training.
Volunteer for Organizational Needs(non-patient care)
Our organizational volunteers support the agency in ways that do not involve direct patient care. Through their invaluable help in the areas listed below, these individuals save us hundreds of thousands of dollars each year while contributing to the successful execution of our mission.
Please be aware that there is currently a wait list for the organizational volunteer program, unless you are applying for Made with Memories, which is in constant need of volunteers who can sew and quilt.
- Office support / clerical – Provide much-needed support at our Hillcrest, Mission Valley, or Carlsbad locations by helping with filing, data entry, receptionist needs, and other administrative tasks. Most of these positions require weekday availability.
- Made with Memories – Use your sewing and/or quilting skills to help bring comfort and healing to families grieving a loss. Create personalized keepsakes, including Hug-Me Bears and Legacy Mini-Quilts, from clothing items of individuals that have passed away.
- Medical Supply Courier – Deliver medications and supplies to patients throughout San Diego County as a valuable member of our Pharmacy team.
- Event-specific projects – Needs vary throughout the year. Past events requiring volunteer support have included Camp Erin, our agency’s golf tournament, and Melisa & Kaye’s Memorial 5K Walk and Fun Run.
- Other needs – We occasionally have projects requiring translation, photography, public speaking, graphic design, video editing, computer programming, and more.
Interested in volunteering in an area you don’t see listed? Please call us to discuss!
Apply To Become an Organizational (Non-patient Care) Volunteer
Submitting an application is the first step to becoming a volunteer. You will be contacted upon receipt of your application to discuss next steps.
For more information on any of our volunteer opportunities, please contact Volunteer Resources today: 619-278-6451 or volunteer@sdhospice.org