Hospice care began in the 1960s as a volunteer movement, and volunteerism continues to be the foundation of Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center today. The volunteer role is one of the most tender and significant parts of our program, and our volunteers have served families in Northeast Georgia for more than 25 years. Volunteers help run our office, do community outreach, and keep vigil at the bedside of our patients. They are the heartbeat of our program.
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, and anyone age 18 years or older may apply. We have opportunities for seasonal, time-limited, and long-term volunteers. We are committed to finding a place for you in our program and making your volunteer experience successful.
If you have experienced a recent loss, we ask that you wait one year before volunteering in homes with patients and families.
We value your interest in our program and are committed to working with you and your schedule. You can commit as much or as little time as your life and schedule permit. Some volunteer activities, such as office projects, might involve less than one hour per week. Other activities, such as patient companionship, may involve two or more hours per week.
At Hospice of NGMC, we understand that our volunteers have diverse skills and interests. Whether you want to work directly with patients and help our program run smoothly behind the scenes, we’re dedicated to providing you with the training and support you need to be an effective volunteer.
Role:
- Assists Bereavement staff with providing grief support to families of hospice patients
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Four (4) hour position specific bereavement support training and completion of volunteer file
Role:
- Provides weekly drop-in visits to hospice patients hospitalized at Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Two (2) hour site specific training & completion of personnel file
Role:
- Provides company to hospice patients in long term care residences
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Two (2) hour site specific training & completion of personnel file
Role:
- Stays with patient while caregiver takes a break from care giving inside or away from the home
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Four (4) hours comfort care training with shadowing opportunity available & completion of personnel file
Role:
- Credentialing through an established pet credentialing program
- Pet and owner/handler provide supportive visits to patients and families
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Completion of personnel file
Role:
- Provides a professional skill like cosmetology, pet therapy, nursing, massage, manicures, music, media etc.
- Certification/licensure requirements may apply
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- One (1) hour position specific training and completion of personnel file
Role:
- Professional education/credentialing required
- Provides spiritual support to patients and families
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Four (4) hours position specific training and completion of personnel file
Role:
- Sits at the beside of dying patients
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Three (3) hour site specific training & completion of personnel file
Role:
- Assists Bereavement staff with providing grief support camps for kids
Training Required:
- Four (4) hour bereavement volunteer training
- Completion of personnel file
Role:
- Assists with activities such as bingo or crafts in assisted living facilities
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Three (3) hours site specific training and completion of volunteer file
Role:
- Sews “Memory Bears” for families of hospice patients
Training Required:
- Two (2) hour training
- Completion of “practice bear” and personnel file
Role:
- Makes gowns, bibs, catheter bag covers, pillows, care bags, wooden memory boxes, blankets etc.
Training Required:
- One (1) hour training
- Completion of personnel file – requirements vary by project
Role:
- Provides clerical support in the hospice office such as data entry, mailing, and filing.
Training Required:
- Four (4) hour basic volunteer training
- Completion of personnel file
Role:
- Assists hospice staff with public speaking, health fairs and community events
Training Required:
- Sixteen (16) hour volunteer general training
- Two (2) hour position specific training with hospice nurse liaison
Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer
Role:
- Visits hospice patients who are veterans and assist staff with thank-you presentations. Learn more about our work with veterans.
Training Required:
- Eight (8) hour volunteer general training
- Completion of personnel file
Become A Hospice Volunteer
Volunteers are indispensable to Hospice of NGMC. If you’re interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, please fill out our volunteer interest form on this page. Alternatively, you many download our application and send it to the following address:
Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center
2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 222
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
For further questions, email our team at hospice.volunteers2@nghs.com or call 770-219-0276. We look forward to hearing from you!
Featured Story
What Do Our Volunteers Say?
“Volunteering with Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center means bringing joy and kindness to those living through some of the most difficult times. Bringing Willa to visit patients and families on hospice gives them a chance to breathe and reminisce on some special times in their lives with their own pets, which can be a really comforting experience.”
Taylor S. & Willa | Pet Therapy Volunteer
“People ask ‘why would you want to do that?’ and I think to myself ‘why wouldn’t I want to do that? It’s an opportunity for me to show compassion toward someone at the end of their life and try to make difference in their life as well as their family’s lives.”
Robin G. | Hospice Patient Care Volunteer
“In my 8 years as a volunteer, I have NEVER felt underappreciated or taken for granted. I am proud to be a part of an excellent organization.”
Sandy P. | Hospice Patient Care Volunteer
Read More About Hospice
Hospice License # 069-160H