Hospice Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Providence Hospice. If you enjoy the following activities, you may get a lot of satisfaction from being a hospice volunteer:

  • Listening
  • Sharing a story
  • Sharing a laugh
  • Sitting quietly at a bedside
  • Helping with household tasks
  • Providing office support
  • Spending time with wonderful people
  • Qualities of a hospice volunteer

Providence Hospice volunteers are compassionate individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of people who are approaching the end of life. Important qualities for hospice volunteers include

  • Emotional stability
  • Dependability
  • Patience
  • Good listening skills
  • Adequate resolution of past losses

How to apply

See below to find an opportunity that best suits you, from providing respite care to a patient's loved ones to pet services to massage therapy. 

Once you have an opportunity in mind, complete the online application.

People that are interested in volunteering with their animal in our Animal Assisted Activities program are required to be certified by the Pet Partners program. Volunteers with their pets are assigned by the volunteer coordinator to provide comfort and support to hospice patients. Volunteers must complete hospice training and orientation and must undergo a screening process, including a criminal record check.

For information about the orientation program, please call the Portland Metro Volunteer Program: 503-215-4857.

Bereavement volunteers act as part of the Providence Bereavement Services staff by contacting survivors of hospice patients after the death. They provide a listening ear, emotional support and report possible complicated grief reactions to the bereavement staff. Bereavement volunteers might also assist with community-related hospice events.

To learn more, contact the Portland Metro Volunteer Program: 503-215-4857.

Providence Hospice massage therapy volunteers are assigned by the volunteer coordinator and provide physical and emotional support to terminally ill hospice patients through ongoing massage visits. Massage volunteers must be licensed massage therapists or physical therapists in the state of Oregon. Volunteers must complete a 20-hour training and orientation program, and must undergo a screening process, including a criminal record check.

For information about the orientation program, please call the Portland Metro Volunteer Program: 503-215-4857.

Volunteers who serve in this area are part of the Pet Peace of Mind program.They are assigned to visit patients who have pet care needs. A volunteer servicing in this area understands the dynamics of pet ownership, including basic pet responsibility and health care. Volunteers may take the pet for a walk and/or assist with feeding and cleaning.

To learn more, contact the Portland Metro Volunteer Program: 503-215-4857.

Hospice Program support volunteers act on the direction of the volunteer coordinator or other hospice staff member to provide assistance with office functions and special projects that support patient and program needs.

To learn more, contact the Portland Metro Volunteer Program: 503-215-4857.

Respite volunteers are the most needed volunteers in our program. Providence Hospice respite volunteers provide comfort and companionship to terminally ill patients so that exhausted family caregivers can take a break. In one-on-one time with a patient in their home setting, you might read a book aloud, reminisce about the past, help make lunch, assist to the bathroom, laugh and cry together, or simply sit quietly and provide supportive presence. Each patient is unique; each volunteer assignment is different; but every patient and every assignment will touch your heart and bring something special into your life.

Volunteers must complete a 20-hour training and orientation program and must undergo a screening process, including a criminal record check. Respite volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

For information about the orientation program, contact the Portland Metro Volunteer Program: 503-215-4857.

Providence Hospice vigil volunteers are assigned by the hospice staff to bring comfort, support and companionship to patients and their family members or facility staff during the time immediately before the patient’s death. The vigil volunteer must be willing to be called for assignment on short notice.

Volunteers must complete a 20-hour training and orientation program and must undergo a screening process, including a criminal record check. Vigil volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

For information about the orientation program, contact the Portland Metro Volunteer Program: 503-215-4857.

Providence Hospice visitation volunteers provide comfort and companionship to terminally ill patients residing in nursing facilities or adult care homes. Visitation volunteers might provide similar one-on-one support as a respite volunteer, but in a setting that is not a private home. Volunteers must complete a 20-hour training and orientation program and must undergo a screening process, including a criminal record check. Visitation volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

For information about the orientation program, please contact the Portland metro volunteer program: 503-215-4857.