Volunteer- Hospice Pet Therapy

POSITION DETAILS

Tomah Health Hospice Touch is seeking compassionate Pet Therapy teams interested in visiting patients in facilities in our service area.

JOB SUMMARY

Hospice Touch therapy dog program serves to provide comfort, support, and animal companionship to patients, their families, and staff through the use of highly trained therapy dog teams acting in a volunteer capacity.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION DIRECT CARE VOLUNTEER

Provides emotional support to patients and families through companionship, visiting, and active listening.

1. Obtains a verbal and a written report on each assignment.
2. Provides support by active listening and focusing conversations on areas of patient interest that promotes life review.  Understands that patients and families need to express their thoughts and feelings.  Listens with an accepting nonjudgmental attitude.  Does not offer advice or try to solve their problems

Serves on a regular basis according to the needs of Hospice Touch and its staff and commits to schedules and task assignments as determined together by staff and volunteer;

May serve in fundraising or community outreach efforts according to Hospice Touch needs and volunteer talents and interests;

Reports to the hospice team as needed.

1. Reports verbally and promptly any patient or caregiver complaint to the Volunteer Specialist or RN Case Manager.  Also writes the patient/caregiver complaint in their volunteer note and turns in promptly.
2. Calls the hospice office to speak to Volunteer Specialist if they are asked by the patient or family to make an extra or unscheduled visit.  On the weekend, call the RN on-call.
3. Calls in if they are ill or cannot keep their appointments for whatever reason.
4. Calls in to report any injury sustained as they are volunteering or any safety concerns for themselves or for the patient or family.

Participates in special projects and events such as fundraisers, memorial services, or community programs as able.

6.   Maintains appropriate boundaries with patients and families; seeks direction when boundaries become blurred or questionable.

1. Visits patients/family when scheduled to do so; does not make visits at other times or after discharge unless assigned. 
2. Does not give out home or personal phone number to families.
3. Does not give to, or accept gifts from, patients and families.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION INDIRECT CARE VOLUNTEER

Responsibility to the Hospice Organization.

1. Completes training in the areas of Hospice orientation, confidentiality, body mechanics, and basic infection control practices such as hand washing and when to call in sick, and specialized training in their assigned tasks.
2. Attends volunteer meetings and educational offerings.
3. Maintains confidentiality of information regarding clients, families, health care personnel and the agency.

Responsibility to the Hospice Team.

1. Records activities and time spent in sign-in book at Serenity House or lets Volunteer Specialist or Hospice office know the same.
2. Reports concerns about assigned duties to Volunteer Specialist or Coordinator, or Director; ex: personality conflict, inability to fulfill the assignment, etc.
3. Is committed to the team concept.  Works cooperatively with all team members and staff.

Responsibility to Self.

1. Shows initiative for self-development.
2. Can handle stress and adjust to change effectively.
3. Employs effective listening and communication skills.
4. Recognizes personal need for support; informs Volunteer Specialist or Hospice Coordinator/Director if they are in need of counseling or other support.

1. WORK ETHICS STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to making the Tomah Health work environment better through: patient advocacy, continuing education, and valuation of each individual person.
2. COMMUNICATION STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to use open and honest communication with all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: basic customer courtesy (phone, written, face to face) and active listening.
3. TEAMWORK STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to be a proud, dependable Tomah Health TEAM member through: basic customer courtesy, patient advocacy, flexibility, and valuation of each individual person.
4. QUALITY STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to provide respectful, compassionate, quality care with integrity to all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: job excellence, patient advocacy, and self-dignity.
5. PROFESSIONALISM STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to professional conduct towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: collaboration, teamwork, appearance, environment, and valuation of each individual person.
6. ATTITUDE STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to maintain a positive, professional perspective towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: honest feedback, confidentiality, basic customer courtesy, and valuation of each individual person.

1. The ability to read and write is required.
2. Successful completion of the hospice volunteer training. 

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

1. Submit proof of the following:

1. valid Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Therapy Dogs International, or Delta Society/Pet Partners (or other national standard pet therapy program) membership or identification card.
2. a copy of the handler’s American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (AKC-CGC) certificate earned by his/her dog. Must have been completed in the last two years.
3. submit documentation to Hospice Touch indicating the dog is current on rabies & distemper vaccination, fecal worm check, and physical exam.

1. Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers
2. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions and with minimal supervision.
3. Needs to possess a high level of integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend details.
4. Good record keeping, telephone and organizational skills.
5. Comfortable in being a volunteer and patient advocate. 

1. Meets Hospice health screenings and criteria.
2. Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, and talk and hear.
3. The Volunteer is frequently required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms.  The Volunteer is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.
4. The Volunteer must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
5. Good hearing is necessary to receive detailed information through oral communication.
6. Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance may be required based on volunteer assignments along with Motor Vehicle Record checks being run every two years.
7. Background checks will be ran per hospital policy.

Must understand and accept the possibility of exposure to inside environmental conditions, such as infectious/communicable diseases, noise, blood and bloodborne diseases, chemicals and/or chemical fumes, odors, gases, dusts, and physical injury/verbal abuse from an out-of-control patient.  Frequent exposure to distressed patients, families or visitors.  Must be able to function effectively under stressful situations.  Position may involve driving to patient homes in various types of weather and road conditions.