Providence Hospice Services will offer a free comprehensive course of training to prepare people who are interested in becoming hospice volunteers. Training will be held from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 25, in Portland. Trainees must attend all sessions.
Hospice volunteers help people who are facing terminal illness. The training course covers the basic principals of hospice, understanding the special needs of patients and their families, effective communication, patient care, pain and symptom management, spiritual care giving, and understanding grief and loss. Hospice volunteers are especially needed in east Multnomah County, Gresham, Molalla, Beaverton and Hillsboro. Applicants with fluency in Spanish and Russian are especially encouraged to apply.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. No previous hospice experience is required. Following training, volunteers are asked to commit four hours a week for a year. Some of the areas of volunteer service are: respite care, bereavement, Me Too & Company – a children’s grief support group, oncology, community education and program support.
Pre-registration is required. Call to request an application by Sept. 5. For more information or to request an application packet call Melinda Smith, Providence Hospice volunteer coordinator, at 503-215-5774.
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