Becoming a Hospice Volunteer

Burnaby Hospice Society volunteers are special people who share their time, give their energy and support our clients to enhance the quality of life for those facing a life-threatening illness or grieving the loss of a loved one

Volunteers are the heart of our society and play an integral role in our daily operations. 

Becoming a Hospice Volunteer starts with a 35-hour course, which provides adult learners with a basic introduction to Hospice Palliative Care and the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a hospice palliative care volunteer with those impacted by a serious, life-limiting illness or grieving a loss of a loved one.

SPRING TRAINING 2023

Tues, April 18, 6:00-9:00, Wed, April 19, 6:00-9:00, Thur, April 20, 6:00-9:00, Sat, April 22, 9:30-3:30

Tues, April 25, 6:00-9:00, Wed, April 26,6:00-9:00, Thur, April 27, 6:00-9:00, Sat, April 29, 9:30-3:30

Hospice Volunteer Training Course

This 35-hour course provides adult learners with a basic introduction to Hospice Palliative Care and the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a hospice volunteer with those impacted by a serious, life-limiting illness or grieving the loss of a loved one. This course is experiential and will require participants to share on a personal level.  Applicants must be at least 25 years old.  There is a fee of $100 to participate in the training.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES / GOALS / OUTCOMES / LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course, the learner will be able to:

1.  describe the major concepts, terms and philosophy of hospice palliative care

2.  discuss the early pioneers and historical roots of the present-day hospice movement

3.  review and discuss hospice volunteer provincial standards and best practices

4.  define and discuss person-centred care and a palliative approach to care

5.  describe and discuss the characteristics of a “compassionate community”

6. describe the process of advance care planning and who should be included in advance care planning discussions

7.  identify strategies and share information about health care education and community resources to support the needs of family caregivers

8.  define and discuss the terms “Total Pain” and “Existential Pain”

9.  identify the psychosocial, spiritual interventions for existential pain

10.  recognize the physical-psychosocial-spiritual signs and symptoms during the final days/hours of life

11.  review cultural and spiritual practices, rituals before, during and after a death

12.  define/discuss terms such as anticipatory/disenfranchised/complicated grief

13.  list the factors that influence grief and describe the complexities and challenges of bereavement

14.  demonstrate active listening and interpersonal communication skills

15.  define compassion fatigue and describe what personal self-care looks like in practice

Ready to apply for the course?

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