Frequently Asked Questions

What qualities do you look for in a hospice volunteer?

• A caring and compassionate heart
• A willingness to listen without judgment

What is the time commitment?

We ask that volunteers sign a one year agreement stating that you will be able to provide an average of 2-4 hours a week. This will be based on your schedule and on patient needs.

What volunteer opportunites do you offer?

• Providing compassionate presence, companionship, and practical assistance to patients in their homes, skilled nursing facilities, or adult family homes, and/or respite for their caregivers.
• Assisting the nursing staff at the Gene and Irene Wockner Hospice Center, as well as help to maintain a home-like environment.
• Providing bereavement support for families via the telephone under the supervision of a bereavement coordinator.
• Compassionate Touch volunteers provide patients with the comfort of touch with massage or Reiki.
• Animal-Assisted therapy teams are Delta-certified pet partners who provide companionship to patients, families, and staff at the hospice center.
• Providing a friendly face at the reception desk at the hospice center, as well as compassionate presence and a listening ear to families.
• Providing administrative and clerical support to Evergreen Hospice Services and/or to individual staff members.

What type of training do you provide for new volunteers?

Volunteering begins with an orientation to the Evergreen Volunteer program. Next is the Hospice and Palliative Care Volunteer program's comprehensive training, which includes hospice history and philosophy. We explore pain and symptom management, spiritual care, boundaries, ethical issues, family systems, diversity, and loss and grief. We help you gain awareness around your feelings and experiences with death and dying, and further develop listening skills so you can be fully present to those that we serve. Each participant receives a certificate upon completion of the training.

Some positions also require additional training.

How often do you offer volunteer training?

We offer trainings throughout the year.

Is there a registration fee for the training?

There is no registration fee.

Do you offer ongoing support for your volunteers?

Yes, we offer the combination of an inservice and a support group each month, as well as inservices throughout the year.

Are there other requirements I should know about?

• Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
• Volunteers must pass a background check.
• Volunteers must submit to annual TB testing through Evergreen Employee Health
• If you have recently experienced a personal loss, there is a one year waiting period before you can become a hospice volunteer. During the one year waiting period, you are welcome to participate in our bereavement groups.

How do I get started?

You can start the application process by submitting our online application.

You may also call 425.899.1040 if you have questions, or would like an application mailed to you.