15 Miss. Code. R. 16-1-1.18.14 - Volunteers

Volunteers that provide patient care and support services according to their experience and training must be in compliance with agency policies, and under the supervision of a designated hospice employee.

1. Qualifications - Volunteers who are qualified to provide professional services must meet all standards associated with their specialty area.

2. Responsibilities - The volunteer shall:

A. Provide assistance to the hospice program, and/or patient/family in accordance with designated assignments;

B. Provide input into the plan of care and interdisciplinary group meetings, as appropriate;

C. Document services provided as trained and instructed by the hospice agency;

D. Maintain strict patient/family confidentiality; and

E. Communicate any changes or observations to the assigned supervisor.

3. Initial Training - The volunteers must receive appropriate documented training which shall include at a minimum:

A. An introduction to hospice;

B. The role of the volunteer in hospice;

C. Concepts of death and dying;

D. Communication skills;

E. Care and comfort measures;

F. Diseases and medical conditions;

G. Psychosocial and spiritual issues related to death and dying;

H. The concept of the hospice family;

I. Stress management;

J. Bereavement;

K. Infection control;

L. Safety;

M. Confidentiality;

N. Patient rights;

O. The role of the IDG;

P. Additional supplemental training for volunteers working in specialized program (i.e., Nursing homes, AIDS facilities); and

Q. The hospice shall offer hospice relevant in-service training on a quarterly basis and maintain documentation.

4. All volunteers must follow the same rules as employees regarding background checks and health screenings.

Notes

15 Miss. Code. R. 16-1-1.18.14

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-85-7

Amended 2/11/2018 Amended 8/15/2022 Amended 8/26/2022