Non-Profit Hospice Volunteers Needed

The Northern New Mexico service area includes Santa Fe, Tesuque, Nambe, Pojoaque, Los Alamos, La Mesilla, Santa Cruz, La Puebla, El Llano, Cordova, Chimayo, Espanola, Ohkay Owingeh, Alcalde, El Guique, Medanales, El Dorado, Lamy, Pecos**

Volunteering to provide companionship and support for hospice patients and their caregivers is a deeply meaningful act of compassion that touches lives in profound ways. In the final chapters of life, simple human presence - offering a hand to hold, a listening ear, or a quiet moment of shared peace - can bring comfort beyond words. Hospice volunteers serve as a steady source of emotional connection, easing the isolation that often accompanies end-of-life care. Their presence also gives caregivers much-needed moments of rest, reassurance, and support, allowing them to continue their role with renewed strength. This kind of volunteering isn't just about giving time -it's about honoring life, preserving dignity, and offering kindness where it matters most. When you volunteer for Presbyterian Hospice of Northern New Mexico, you become part of a family of deeply dedicated individuals with a shared vision for compassionate end-of-life care.

Ask me for more information on our Volunteer Roles:

Caring Companions and Caregiver Respite: A companionship and respite volunteer plays a vital role in the care of hospice patients and their caregivers by providing emotional support, comfort, and relief during a profoundly challenging time. Companion and Respite volunteers are an essential part of the hospice care team, offering presence, comfort, and a compassionate, non-medical connection during the end-of-life journey.

1. Companionship for hospice patients: These volunteers offer emotional and social support to patients who are at the end of their lives. The goal is not to provide medical care, but to enhance the patient’s quality of life and help ensure that their final days are met with compassion and connection. This includes:
   • Providing company and conversation, reducing feelings of isolation or loneliness.
   • Engaging in simple activities the patient enjoys, like reading, listening to music, watching TV, or just sitting quietly.
   • Offering comforting presence, especially for those without nearby family or friends.
   • Helping maintain dignity by treating the patient with respect, compassion, and patience.
2. Respite for Caregivers: Volunteers also support caregivers, who are often family members under significant emotional and physical stress. This kind of support helps caregivers sustain their strength and well-being as they continue to care for their loved ones. They do this by:
   • Allowing caregivers time to rest or attend to personal needs by staying with the patient for a few hours.
   • Reducing burnout by giving caregivers time away from their duties, even briefly.
   • Providing emotional support, sometimes just by listening to their experiences or concerns.

Flower Angels: We are seeking caring and reliable volunteers to help bring comfort and joy to hospice patients by creating and delivering beautiful flower bouquets. We offer a low-commitment schedule with high emotional reward where volunteers can be part of a compassionate community dedicated to service. This role is on an as needed (on call) basis and is perfect for individuals who enjoy working with flowers, have a heart for service, and can be flexible with their availability.

Music Therapy: The purpose of a music therapy volunteer in a hospice setting is to provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients and their families through the healing power of music. This role enhances quality of life, promotes comfort, and fosters meaningful connection during the end-of-life journey. by offering live or recorded music experiences tailored to individual preferences and needs, the volunteer helps reduce anxiety, ease pain, and create moments of peace, reflection, and levity. Your presence brings warmth, compassion, and a unique form of non-verbal communication that resonates deeply with patients in pallliative care.

Certified Massage Therapy: A CMT volunteer for hospice patients provides compassionate, non-invasive touch therapy to support comfort and quality of life during end-of-life care. Their role is both physical and emotional, offering relief from symptoms and helping create a peaceful, human connection.

Certified Cosmetology and Barbering: The purpose of a certified cosmetology and barbering volunteer for hospice patients is to provide compassionate, personalized grooming services that promote dignity, comfort, and emotional well-being at the end of life. These volunteers use their professional skills to help patients look and feel their best, even as their physical condition declines.

Furry Friends Hospice Companions: The purpose of the service animal volunteer role is to provide comfort, emotional support, and companionship to hospice patients through the presence and interaction of a certified therapy animal. Alongside the handler, the service animal helps enhance quality of life for individuals facing terminal illness by offering a calming, joyful presence during a profoundly sensitive time. This role supports hospice care teams by contributing to patients' emotional and spiritual well-being, often easing feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or discomfort.

Hospice Ambassadors: The Volunteer ambassador serves as a passionate and informed representative of the hospice services Presbyterian provides and is dedicated to raising awareness about hospice services within the community. This role plays a vital part in educating the public, dispelling myths about hospice care, and promoting the compassionate support hospice provides to patients and families. A key focus of the ambassador is volunteer recruitment - encouraging individuals to get involved by sharing personal stories, presenting at events, engaging in one-on-one conversations, and identifying potential volunteer opportunities in the community. Ambassadors help build meaningful connections between the hospice and the public, fostering a strong, supportive network of volunteers.

The brave heart understands and embraces the impermanence of life. Your gift of presence and service is invaluable for those who are facing the greatest unknown. Thank you

Why choose non-profit?

• Non-profit hospice services are more patient-centered and focused on quality of care rather than the bottom line.
• Non-profit hospices are able to offer more services and resources to patients and their families than for-profit hospice services.

Getting started:

1. Fill out the volunteer application online at www.phs.org/community/volunteer
2. Pass a criminal background check.
3. Schedule an interview with Volunteer Manager by contacting cverduzco@phs.org

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Proof of initial two COVID vaccinations and one booster, or masking during flu season.
• Current seasonal flu vaccine, or mandatory masking during flu season.
• Proof of childhood vaccination records, or titer test administered by PHS employee health.
• Current TB test
• Completion of self-paced online volunteer training.
• Comfortable with hospice/palliative philosophy, policy and practice.
• High level of emotional intelligence.
• New Mexico driver’s license and availability of a personal insured vehicle.
• Average Commitment of 2-4 hours per week for a minimum of six months. Commitment varies by position.