Quality training and strong volunteer managers are the backbone of every successful hospice volunteer program. This post explores why both are essential to supporting volunteers and the families they serve.
Training Hospice Volunteers: Why Quality Matters and How to Get It Right
Hospice volunteers are considered to be the heart of hospice
care. They bring compassion, presence, and a listening ear, often at life's
most vulnerable moments. However, their overall impact relies heavily on one
essential factor: high-quality training.
Whether providing emotional support, helping with light
errands, or assisting in the office, hospice volunteers need more than good
intentions. They need structure, understanding, and preparation. That's where a
strong volunteer training program, and an engaged volunteer manager, makes all
the difference.
Why High-Quality Volunteer Training Is Essential
Hospice work isn't easy. It takes emotional intelligence,
boundaries, and focused communication. Volunteers may face the display of
strong emotions, grief, silence, or moments of deep spiritual questioning. Even
the most well-meaning volunteers can feel overwhelmed or unsure without
adequate training.
Comprehensive training ensures volunteers:
- Understand the hospice philosophy
- Respect patient and family boundaries
- Recognize signs of emotional or spiritual distress
- Know how and when to communicate with staff
- Provide care that supports, not replaces, the clinical team
Well-trained volunteers also stay longer and feel more
confident in their roles. They become valid extensions of the care
team—trusted, prepared, and present.
The Role of the Volunteer Manager
Behind every thriving volunteer program is a dedicated volunteer
manager. These individuals are not just schedulers but mentors,
communicators, and protectors of hospice values. They connect volunteers to
purpose while ensuring safety and quality of care.
A volunteer manager:
- Recruits and screens the right people
- Facilitates thorough onboarding and training
- Provides ongoing education, check-ins, and support
- Acts as a bridge between volunteers and clinical staff
Investing in your volunteer manager means investing in your
entire program. They are key to keeping volunteers engaged, appreciated, and
accountable.
A Turnkey Training Program Built for Hospice Teams
Creating a training program from scratch is time-consuming,
and ensuring it meets Medicare's Conditions of Participation (CoPs) is no small
task. That's why the Hospice Volunteer Training Program has
become a go-to resource for agencies nationwide.
Our annual subscription includes:
- 9 comprehensive modules covering hospice philosophy, communication, grief and loss, boundaries, and more
- Downloadable materials like volunteer handbooks, forms, and in-service updates
- Online access for easy onboarding and group or individual training
- Compliance with Medicare requirements, saving you time and stress
Whether you're new to managing volunteers or simply want to
refresh your training tools, this program supports you in delivering a
consistent, meaningful, and compliant experience.
Support for Volunteer Managers: Training That Builds Leadership
Whether you're new to the role or a seasoned coordinator
looking to refresh your approach, this series offers practical insights and
tools to help you:
- Strengthen volunteer engagement and retention
- Navigate regulatory requirements with confidence
- Build meaningful connections across clinical and volunteer teams
- Lead with clarity, compassion, and accountability
Explore the full Volunteer Manager Series to invest in your leadership and
elevate your program. When volunteer managers thrive, entire teams and the families they serve benefit.
Read These Articles Next
November 9, 2021
July 9, 2021
March 23, 2021
© 2025 FINANCIAL EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT, INC
