Ideas for getting to 5% - fast?

[Dale]

I'm looking for some ideas on how to increase our volunteer hours fast. We are well below the required 5% mark. We have approx. 10 volunteers in a broad, mostly rural area; and we are serving approx. 75 patients in this area. Most of our vounteers have a current assignment, and cannot take on much more at this time. I will be training a few more volunteers soon, and have some ideas that will help us recruit more volunteers and eventually get our numbers up. But what about in the mean time... I am under pressure to increase our percentage quickly. Any ideas? Thanks, Dale Willis 573-443-8360

[Kathleen Moen]

Hi Georgia,

Can I ask you what you are paid? ARe you paid by the hour or are you an exempt salaried employee? I am getting $22 per hour and I was hired in as hourly, but due to the craziness of the VC schedule, off campus community service events etc, they switched me to exempt so now I just clock in when I get in and that is all. I was told that to change my job description to "Volunteer Manager" are census would have to triple. They tell me that my Job Description of Volunteer Coordinator is considered a part-time (20 hours per week) administrative position and the possiblity of going to full time (40 hours per week) is directly proportionate to the number of patients on our census. Needless to say this was very shocking news to me. We as VC's do so much more than just administrative work. We run mini-human resources departments, train, educate, collaborate with all levels of management and upper management, coach, interview, supervise, risk manage, donor communications, fundraise, speaking engagements, community goodwill, program management, etc. I could go on and on. I am wondering why Medicare COP's has not addressed the extensive job requirements that a VC must possess and the enormous responsibility we have. It is hurting our profession. Anyway, that's my two cents.

[Linda Daniels]

Hi Dale:
I have never found a way to get volunteers "fast"! There needs to be announcements posted(volunteermatch.org, Craigslist.com, local CAble TV,) etc. Then interviews and background checks.
Then training........ takes about a 3-4 weeks before anyone can be an official hospice volunteer.
If there is an easier, less complicated way -I would love to know!
Volunteers seem to trickle in- college students have the need and desire, but classes and studying take up their time also. Getting volunteers and retaining them is a job in itself! I have gone for the "gold"- 5% for ages, and I am still reaching for it!
Please let me and the rest of us know how you are doing while you are on the Quest for 5%! Good Luck!

[Kathleen Moen]

Hi Georgia,
Did your question ever get answered about how much a volunteer coordinator is paid? I am a new VC in California and I would like to know what the payscale is here and around the country. Also, does anyone out there have a job description for a Hospice Volunteer Manager?
Thanks, Kathleen

[Georgia Place]

Truthfully - the scale fluctuates all over the place. And, on this matter - I believe I'm the least paid out here. LOL No, seriously!

[Georgia Place]

Thanks for your replies. I believe I've got it covered now.

[Frances Shani Parker]

Some hospices have regular staff members who volunteer for vigil assignments when death is imminent. I don't know if their time is recorded as volunteer hours, but I think it should be if they serve on their own time.

[Georgia Place]

I have a question - am probably not putting it in the right place - forgive me for this....

My question: I have a volunteer who has been asked to work part-time (5 hours a week) for us. Can this individual still be a volunteer for Hospice?

[Greg Schneider]

There are some labor law issues but since the volunteer is only working 5 hours a week that would not likely be a problem. However, if an individual is working full time or more and then volunteers on top of that, there can be problems that stem around the rights of the individual. For example, if it was suggested that they 'volunteer' to avoid overtime etc.

Greg Schneider
President, HVA
HCF Creator

[Linda Daniels]

I think it depends on your company's policy. I believe there is one CNA who works & volunteers for one office of ours.

[Linda Daniels]

Thanks for this explanation and information.