Volunteer

Volunteers are important members of the Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice teams.

Our volunteer program is the largest hospice volunteer program in Montgomery County and has recently expanded to also serve Prince George’s County. Our volunteers’ time and energy make it possible for Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice to care for our patients with added skill and compassion. Our patient care volunteers are a part of a team of hospice professionals, who are experts in medical and psychosocial end-of-life care. Our bereavement volunteers work with our professional bereavement counselors, all of whom have a master’s degree.

We offer diverse opportunities for our volunteers to learn, grow, give, and utilize their talents to meet the needs of our patients and families.

Ways to Help

Volunteers can help in countless ways – their exceptional support to families and staff is indispensable.

Patient Care Volunteers visit with patients primarily to provide companionship, and respite for caregivers. Their visits often allow caregivers to take a break for shopping, a meal with friends, medical appointments, or a chance to rest. Volunteers might run errands for patients, do grocery shopping, gardening, light housekeeping, help with patients’ memoirs, or just offer a friendly, listening ear. Patient Care volunteers visit patients and serve in many corners of our community: in private homes, in nursing homes, in assisted living facilities, and at Casey House. These volunteers typically visit patients on a weekly basis.

Pet Volunteers bring their certified pets on visits with patients. These visits bring incredible joy to animal lovers. Through our partnerships with People Animals Love (PAL), Pets on Wheels (POW), and Therapy Dogs International (TDI) for the pet certification process, these volunteers visit in patients’ homes, in nursing homes, in assisted living facilities, and at Casey House.

Bereavement Care Volunteers offer an empathetic, listening ear and emotional support to families following the death of their loved one. These volunteers receive additional training in grief support and work with our professional bereavement counselors. Some volunteers send sympathy cards and assist with mailings.

Montgomery Kids Team Volunteers visit our pediatric patients in Montgomery County, often to provide respite for the patient’s caregiver by spending time with patients’ siblings – helping with homework or playing games. These volunteers might also coordinate and shop for a patient’s birthday party, or complete beautiful memory projects for patients’ families.

Outreach Volunteers help with educational and fundraising events in the community. These events provide resources and spread the word regarding hospice services. The fundraising events enable Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice to serve patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

Administrative Volunteers provide support at our Rockville headquarters and at Casey House. These volunteers assist with data entry and filing at headquarters. They answer the telephone, greet guests, and assist with general administrative tasks at Casey House.

Complementary Therapy Volunteers receive additional training to provide holistic, sensory-based experiences for patients, including Reiki and Comfort Touch®. This group of volunteers also includes our Threshold Choir members, who provide beautiful a cappella bedside singings for patients.

Training

Volunteers are required to attend a comprehensive three-day training. Highly regarded by national hospice agencies, this training covers topics including the philosophy and values of Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice and its interdisciplinary team approach, the role of volunteers, compliance (i.e. HIPAA, Notice of Privacy Practices, and Corporate Compliance Plan), spirituality, ethics, and the policies and procedures for volunteers. Along with the initial training, volunteers are required to attend additional coaching and smaller training sessions each year.

*Next Training:
Spring 2024 (dates to be determined)

How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming a Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice volunteer, call the Volunteer Services Department at 301-921-4400. Our volunteer managers can share more about hospice volunteering and upcoming training dates.

All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and have access to reliable transportation.
Note that the trainings do fill quickly. Please call before filling out all the forms. The forms needed are listed on our Application page – and you may start the application process now by filling out the Biographical Information & Statement of Interest form below.

Call the Volunteer Services Department at 301-921-4400 with any questions.

Biographical Information & Statement of Interest

Biographical Information & Statement of Interest

Please be sure to visit our Application page for the remaining instructions and forms necessary to complete the application process. Call the Volunteer Services Department at 301-921-4400 if you have any questions.