No One Dies Alone Program
Mercy General Hospital respects the dignity of each and every person during their hospital stay, including during the dying process and at the time of death. With the support of an interdisciplinary care team, the specially trained No One Dies Alone volunteers provide compassionate companionship and comforting support to dying patients who would otherwise be alone.
The primary responsibility of the volunteer is to act as a "Compassionate Companion" by sitting with the patient, perhaps holding their hand, reading to them and assisting in comfort measures as directed by the nurse. We are looking for two types of volunteers to help make this program successful:
- Compassionate Companions
- Vigil Coordinators
Qualifications and Competencies:
- Volunteer with hospice experience or experience with a dying patient preferred
- Volunteer may qualify if they are already an active volunteer at the hospital and have been an active volunteer for a minimum of three months
- Hospital employees may volunteer for this program
- Sensitivity to, concern for and empathy with the spiritual needs of patients
- Ability to sit for long periods of time (preferably a minimum of two hours)
- Attendance at volunteer orientations
- Meet health clearance requirements (detail listed on the volunteer application)
- Must be able to work cooperatively with others, as well as independently
- Follow Mercy General Hospital confidentiality and Infection Control guidelines
- Interacts in a non-judgmental manner with persons of all faiths
- Understands and follows directions
- Must be able to commit to a period of "on call hours". Volunteers will be notified when the need for a companion occurs
- Hospital volunteers are required to attend a 2-hour annual compliance training meeting every year
Training Provided:
- After you have attended general orientation and received your health clearances, you will attend a No One Dies Alone specific orientation day
- Quarterly support group meetings will be held for the volunteers. This is an opportunity to share your experiences, learn from others' experiences, ask questions and offer solutions to enrich the program for our patients.
To apply for a volunteer position with the No One Dies Alone program, please fill out the
Mercy General Hospital Volunteer Application
and e-mail it to
mghvolunteerservices@chw.edu.
If you have additional questions not answered on our website or the Volunteer Application form, please call (916) 453-4559.
