Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

VET TO VET VOLUNTEERS offer a unique ability to relate and connect to fellow veteran patients, either as a companion or while conducting veteran pinning ceremonies.  

LOCATION 

Our hospice services are provided wherever one calls home, which could include a private home or care community, such as assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing facilities.  

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

First, ask yourself: 

Are you a veteran yourself?   Can you commit to a minimum of four hours a month for six months?  Are you comfortable with death and the dying process, or have an openness and willingness to learn?  Are you dependable and able to work independently? 

If yes to all of the above, the following are steps to getting involved, typically taking 3-4 weeks to complete: 

Interview with a member of our volunteer services team  Submit to background and reference checks  Complete online training, at your own pace  Attend virtual wrap-up session 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU 

A flexible schedule at a location that is convenient for you  Consistent and accessible staff support  Ongoing guidance and education to ensure you are comfortable and effective in your role  Ability to take a leave of absence at any time 

For more information: Please visit our website at ecumen.org/hospice/volunteers or call us at 651-714-0200 

HOSPICE HOUNDS volunteers are a registered* therapy animal and their human teammate provide a calming, friendly presence, and are known to reduce stress and anxiety. 

If you have a furry friend that brings joy everywhere you go, this is the position for you! If your pet is already registered through a pet therapy program, you can apply immediately to become an Ecumen Hospice Hounds team volunteer. While dogs are the most common animal to join our Hospice Hounds teams, we are open to all therapy pets! 

LOCATION 

Our hospice services are provided wherever one calls home, which could include a private home or care community, such as assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing facilities. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

First, ask yourself: 

Are you at least 18 years old?  Do you have a registered therapy animal*?  Can you commit to a minimum of four hours a month for six months?  Are you comfortable with death and the dying process, or have an openness and willingness to learn?  Are you dependable and able to work independently? 

If yes to all of the above, the following are steps to getting involved, typically taking 3-4 weeks to complete: 

Interview with a member of our volunteer services team  Submit to background and reference checks  Complete online training, at your own pace  Attend virtual wrap-up session 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU 

A flexible schedule at a location that is convenient for you  Consistent and accessible staff support  Ongoing guidance and education to ensure you are comfortable and effective in your role  Ability to take a leave of absence at any time 

   

For more information: please visit our website at ecumen.org/hospice/volunteers or call us at 651-714-0200 

*If you have a pet that you think would make a great therapy animal, but is not yet registered, below are a few organizations you can contact to get that process started. There are others in the area, so feel free to do your research and find one that fits your schedule, location, needs and budget. Make sure to tell them you’d like to become an Ecumen Hospice volunteer once you’re done! 

Therapy Dogs International: http://tdi-dog.org/  Pet Partners: https://petpartners.org/  The Alliance of Therapy Dogs: www.therapydogs.com 

COMPANION VOLUNTEERS provide a personal interaction, comforting presence, and small moments of joy. Companions can also offer caregiver respite and/or practical help around the home.  

LOCATION  

Our hospice services are provided wherever one calls home, which could include a private home or care community, such as assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing facilities.  

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

First, ask yourself: 

Are you at least 18 years old?  Can you commit to a minimum of four hours a month for six months?  Are you comfortable with death and the dying process, or have an openness and willingness to learn?  Are you dependable and able to work independently? 

If yes to all of the above, the following are steps to getting involved, typically taking 3-4 weeks to complete: 

Interview with a member of our volunteer services team  Submit to background and reference checks  Complete online training, at your own pace  Attend virtual wrap-up session 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU 

A flexible schedule at a location that is convenient for you  Consistent and accessible staff support   Ongoing guidance and education to ensure you are comfortable and effective in your role  Ability to take a leave of absence at any time 

For more information: Please visit our website at ecumen.org/hospice/volunteers or call us at 651-714-0200

VIGIL VOLUNTEERS offer comfort and support tailored to a patient’s needs in the final days and hours. Vigil volunteers also offer respite to caregivers, giving them peace of mind that someone is present while they are unable to be by their loved one’s side. Vigil volunteers may be present at time of death.  

Vigil volunteers serve on an on-call, as-needed basis (agreeing to be on our call list when needs arise, but not required to agree to every vigil visit we ask about). Typically 2-6 hours per vigil visit. 

LOCATION 

Our hospice services are provided wherever one calls home, which could include a private home or care community, such as assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing facilities. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

First, ask yourself: 

Are you at least 18 years old?  Can you commit to a minimum of four hours a month for six months?  Are you comfortable with death and the dying process, or have an openness and willingness to learn?  Are you dependable and able to work independently? 

If yes to all of the above, the following are steps to getting involved, typically taking 3-4 weeks to complete: 

Interview with a member of our volunteer services team  Submit to background and reference checks  Complete online training, at your own pace  Attend virtual wrap-up session 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU 

A flexible schedule at a location that is convenient for you  Consistent and accessible staff support  Ongoing guidance and education to ensure you are comfortable and effective in your role  Ability to take a leave of absence at any time 

For more information: Please visit our website at ecumen.org/hospice/volunteers or call us at 651-714-0200 

HEALTHCARE ADMIN VOLUNTEERS 

Looking to go into a healthcare administrative field? Or just enjoy helping with the behind-the-scenes details in an office while also making a difference in the community? 

ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS assist the entire team by providing a variety of admin activities including compiling patient charts, entering volunteer hours, assembling admission packets, and more! Our office team is a fun, relaxed atmosphere and we'd love for you to join us. Volunteers should have basic office skills (filing, data entry, packet assembly) and adhere to strict patient confidentiality. Admin volunteers serve during our regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm at one of our branch offices. 

HAVE A MORE ADVANCED SKILL OR LOOKING FOR GROUP OPPORTUNITIES? Volunteers with advanced skills are welcome to also join our behind-the-scenes support team (marketing, recruiting, graphic design, statistics, etc). Let us know what you're interested in doing, and we may be able to tailor the volunteer opportunity to meet your schedule, abilities and interests! We very occasionally would have a need for a small group (max of 5 people) to assist with administrative tasks. 

LOCATION 

Our admin offices are located in Shoreview, North Branch, Litchfield, Mankato and Duluth, we'd love for you to join us! 

For more information: Please visit our website at ecumen.org/hospice/volunteers or call us at 651-714-0200