Pet Therapy Volunteer with SouthernCare Hospice!

REPORTS TO

Volunteer Coordinator (VC)/ Manager of Volunteer Services (MVS)

DESCRIPTION

The Pet Therapy Volunteer serves as an additional support to patients, families and caregivers by making friendly visits with his/ her certified therapy animal. Visits may occur in the patient’s home or in a professional care setting (subject to the rules of the facility). Both the Volunteer and the certified therapy animal provide comfort, companionship and a welcome distraction from the illness. All care provided by the Pet Therapy Volunteer is outlined in the Volunteer Care Plan and agreed upon by the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).

QUALIFICATIONS

PET: The majority of animals serving in this capacity will be a dog. The dog must be certified/ registered by an American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized therapy dog organization

(http://www.akc.org/events/title-recognition-program/therapy/organizations/). Other certified/ registered therapy animals will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. All required vaccinations must be up to date and copies of the vaccinations/ medical evaluation must be maintained in the Volunteer’s Personnel File; required vaccines include Rabies and Distemper. A copy of the current certification/ registration, in addition to the liability insurance coverage, must also be maintained.

VOLUNTEER: The Pet Therapy Volunteer must have an understanding of Hospice Philosophy and possess the ability to actively listen and communicative compassionately with patients, families and caregivers. He/ she must always accompany the certified therapy animal on visits; it is not acceptable for another handler to accompany the animal. He/ she must have access to reliable transportation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide comfort and support, in conjunction with therapy animal, to assigned patients and families in accordance with the Volunteer Care Plan

2. Provide animal therapy visits to all patients and families in all care settings (based on facility guidelines and policies)

3. Participate in Volunteer support or peer groups and/ or training with other Volunteers

4. Provide availability on a regular basis and/ or keeping with the assigned family and caregiver needs as outlined and defined in the Volunteer Plan of Care

5. Maintain regular communication with the Volunteer Coordinator/ Manager of Volunteer Services

6. Report any concerns, problems, or sudden changes in patient, family and caregiver status to the Volunteer Coordinator (VC)/ Manager of Volunteer Services (MVS) (or appropriate personnel)

7. Perform duties within the established Volunteer Care Plan and function within authorized activities according to the individual’s ability, knowledge, and training. Does not assume tasks or decisions which are outside the scope of the Animal Therapy Volunteer or are within the domain of other persons, e.g. family, caregiver, hospice personnel or facility staff

8. Document and record hours of service and return Volunteer Visit Note to the Volunteer Coordinator (VC)/ Manager of Volunteer Services (MVS) within a timely manner, i.e. 24-48 hours.

9. Maintain family and caregiver confidentiality and abide by federal regulations related to privacy practices, e.g. HIPAA

10. Assure for compliance with local, state, and federal laws, Medicare regulations, and established personnel policies and procedures

11. Meet or exceed delivery of Company Service Standards and operate under the company’s Code of Conduct

12. Be evaluated annually based on competency and performance by the Volunteer Coordinator (VC)/ Manager of Volunteer Services (MVS)

13. 'Participate in continual education and training, including mandatory annual in-services (HIPAA, Tuberculosis, Emergency Preparedness, etc.)