Interested in becoming a Harbor Hospice volunteer?
Discover the information you need to know to volunteer with Harbor Hospice so you can offer companionship and emotional support, making a significant difference during a challenging period.
Volunteer Training
At Harbor Hospice, we offer customized training and continuous education throughout the year to support our volunteers. Every volunteer must complete a General Volunteer Orientation, available both online and in-person. Additionally, those involved in patient support are required to undergo Patient Care Training with a clinical staff member.
Volunteer Requirements
Before submitting your volunteer application, please consider whether volunteering with Harbor Hospice is right for you:
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid require that all hospice volunteers are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption.
- Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one year of service with Harbor Hospice. Continuity of care is crucial for our patients and families, so our volunteer opportunities are long-term and not suitable for those seeking temporary or summer-only positions. We understand that some volunteers may travel to warmer climates during the winter months, and we strive to accommodate these seasonal changes while maintaining consistent care for our patients.
- Our patients reside throughout Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa counties. Therefore, our volunteer opportunities are best suited for those with their own transportation.
- Volunteer opportunities are best for those with morning and afternoon availability, as this is when patients and families most need visitors.
- Volunteers providing patient support at Harbor Hospice must undergo T-spot testing to meet compliance requirements. Additionally, the State of Michigan Department of Community Health mandates criminal background checks and fingerprinting for all hospice volunteers. Harbor Hospice covers the cost of these requirements and also requires two references as part of the volunteer application process.
- To honor the grieving process, volunteers are asked to wait at least one year after the death of a loved one before applying to volunteer with Harbor Hospice.
For more information on volunteering, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 231-728-3442 or 1-800-497-9559.
