Volunteer Opportunities

Hospice of Chattanooga could not do what we do without the support of loving, compassionate volunteers. Our volunteers are amazing people who have a desire to help others. They are as dedicated to their work as the other healthcare professionals on our hospice care teams.

Many of our volunteers come to be part of our organization as a result of care provided to a family member or friend.  If you have experienced a recent loss and would like to volunteer with Hospice of Chattanooga, we do ask that you allow 13 months to elapse before beginning your service.

Hospice of Chattanooga offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, designed to fit any schedule and accommodate volunteers of all ages. All of our volunteers receive specialized training on how to assist hospice patients and their families as they navigate the issues associated with a life-limiting illness.

Below you will find an overview of the various volunteer roles and opportunities Hospice of Chattanooga currently offers. Many of our volunteers serve in multiple capacities and fill a number of roles. We work hard to tailor each experience to the desires of our talented and dedicated volunteers.

• Patient/Family Support in Private Homes: These trained volunteers travel to the patient's home to offer support and companionship.  Your duties will vary but include sitting with the patient, reading to the patient, assisting the patient and caregivers with light housework, running errands, etc.
  
• Patient/Family Support in Nursing Homes or Assisted Living Facilities: As a trained volunteer you may visit several Hospice of Chattanooga patients residing at local nursing homes or assisted living centers.  Duties are similar to those provided in the patient's home. These volunteers will often sit with patients, provide companionship, give caregivers a brief break from the patient's bedside, etc.
  
• Tuck-in program (weekly):  In this role you will work 2-3 hours on Thursday afternoon, helping us “tuck-in” many of our patients for the upcoming weekend. You will call patients or their caregivers to run down a check-list to determine if there are any medications, equipment or supplies that the patient will need over the weekend.
  
• Pet Therapy: Hospice of Chattanooga has a very popular pet therapy program that brings smiles to the patients they visit. These animals (and their owners) make frequent visits to hospice patients in both the home, assisted living centers, and nursing homes.  If you and your pet agree that you would like to bring joy to people’s lives, get involved. All animals must be pet therapy certified and the pet owner must go through Hospice of Chattanooga's volunteer orientation and training program.
  
• Grief Companions: Grief companions are specially trained volunteers offering ongoing support to the primary caregiver or other family members for up to 13 months after a hospice patient’s death. Grief companions provide support to the grieving loved one through phone calls and visits after the death of the patient. Visits may include trips to the loved one’s home, lunch or other social activities.  Interaction may include talking, capturing the grieving loved one’s story, listening, helping around the house, educating on daily life skills such as computer, banking, etc.
  
• Community Outreach: We always need volunteers who can help us educate the community about the care and services provided by Hospice of Chattanooga. Opportunities include speaking at local civic organizations and church groups, as well as working as a hostess or host at one of the many community health fairs we participate in during the year.
  
• Office Support: Currently, Hospice of Chattanooga has seven office locations throughout our 18-county service area. We always need help with office support duties such as mailings, filing records, making copies, etc. In addition, office volunteers are often used to make follow-up phone calls to patients and family members to check-in and see how the week is progressing. Chattanooga offices are on Hamm Road in No. Chattanooga, Highway 58 and East Brainerd. Others are in Jasper, TN., Cleveland, TN., Dayton, TN., and Rossville, GA.  Volunteer for the one closest to your home!
  
• Dream Team: It is not unusual for us to have a patient or family who have a special need or wish. Our volunteer Dream Team stands ready to respond. The Dream Team is comprised of a select group of volunteers who are ready and willing take on special projects – from arranging parties (anniversary, birthday, etc.) to yard work, house maintenance, landscaping, cooking and serving a special meal,  etc. If you have a special talent, we need you on our volunteer dream team today!