Caring for Christ Volunteer Training

Last Updated 2/23/13

Objective

To Provide Volunteers with the Basic Tools

to Succeed in Companion Activities

Why Volunteer?

St Francis of Assisi Mission Following the loving examples of Jesus and our chosen patron, St. Francis, we will reach out beyond ourselves and our own needs to serve and work with the community in which we live.

Caring for Christ Ministry Mission Promotes Health in Body, Mind, and Spirit for St. Francis of Assisi Home-Bound Parishioners and Their Caregivers

Volunteer Expectations

TimeAssistance ActivitiesDetailed Standard Assistance Detailed Assistance ExceptionsOptional Assistance

Time Expectations

Based on Needs of Volunteer Parishioner and/or Caregiver

Assistance Activities

ShoppingTransportationRespite Care

Shopping Detailed Standard AssistanceParishioner and/or Caregiver Is Expected to

Pay for Purchases (Cash is Preferred) Provide Written List of Items Needed Optional

Volunteer Can Pick Up Prescription But Is NOT Responsible for Verifying It Is Correct Medication

Gas Reimbursement Volunteer Tracking of Mileage for Tax Purposes

Transportation Detailed Standard Assistance

Volunteer Is NOT Responsible for Passenger Injury If Vehicle Accident OccursTrips Are Limited to 15 Miles, Unless Alternate Arrangements Between Parishioner and/or Caregiver And Volunteer Are DiscussedParishioner and/or Caregiver Is Responsible for Parking FeesTransporting Parishioner In a Wheelchair Is Dependent On Volunteer Transportation is Available for Parishioners Age 18 And Over.Optional

Bathroom Assistance By the Volunteer Taking Notes At Doctor's Appointments BUT Parishioner and/or

Caregiver Must Sign HIPAA Form First. Volunteer Tracking of Mileage for Tax Purposes

Respite Care Detailed Standard AssistanceTakes Place In Parishioner or Caregiver's HomeParishioner and/or Caregiver

Must Sign Waiver (Not Responsible For Injury)Caregiver

Must Provide a Current Emergency Contact Number To Volunteer

Provide Level of Interaction Between Volunteer and Parishioner

Respite Care Detailed Standard Assistance (Cont.)

Volunteer Is NOT Expected to Do Hands-On Care,

For Example Bathing, Personal Care, Dressing Expected To Stay With Parishioner Until

Caregiver Returns Expected to Keep St. Francis' Health Minister Informed Of

Change in Parishioner's StatusToileting Will Be Discussed Between Parishioner and/or Caregiver and Volunteer. Volunteer Will Only Do What He/She Is Comfortable With.Optional - Volunteer May Share Meal If Food For Parishioner Is Provided. Volunteer Can Bring In His/Her Own Food For Himself. Volunteer May Bring In Food For Parishioner As Long As It Is Approved By Parishioner and/or Caregiver.

Detailed Assistance Exceptions

Volunteer CAN NOT Distribute Medication or Direct Medical Therapy

No Medical Advice Is Allowed Your Therapy Is Not Parishioner's Therapy

Optional AssistanceYou Are NOT Required to Do the Following, BUT, If Willing, Can Do

Pick Up Prescription BUT Are NOT Responsible For Verifying It Is Correct Medication

Gas Reimbursement Bathroom Assistance Taking Notes At Doctor's Appointments

(Parishioner Must Sign HIPAA Form First) Share Meal If Food For Parishioner Is Provided. Bring In Food For Parishioner As Long As It Is

Approved By Parishioner and/or Caregiver.If You Are Uncomfortable At Any Time, Contact St. Francis' Faith Community Nurse Immediately

Legal Concerns - Privacy

Parishioner and/or Caregiver HIPAA – Signed By Parishioner and/or Caregiver

Volunteer Do NOT Discuss Parishioner's Personal Information, E.G., Health History or Medical Information, With Anyone Other Than the Caregiver.

If Parishioner Is Suicidal or Homicidal, Volunteer MUST Discuss With St. Francis' Faith Community Nurse Immediately

Legal Concerns – Emergencies

If In Doubt, Call 911.Even If Parishioner Falls, Someone Will Come to Help ParishionerVolunteer May Choose to Drive to Hospital. EMS Will Only Take FamilyCall Caregiver AFTER 911 Call.

Procedures

Forms Volunteer Application Companion Application Companion Request and Release Form Transportation-Shopping-Errands Request and Release Form

Volunteer Log FormAssistance ReviewVolunteer First Meeting with RequesterVerbal Requests for Assistance

FormsVolunteer Application - see web pageCompanion Application – see web pageCompanion Request and Release Form see web pageTransportation-Shopping-Errands Request and Release Form – see web pageVolunteer Log Form – see web pageHIPPA form – see web page

All forms found on St Francis website under Pastoral/Health Ministry

Assistance Review

St. Francis' Faith Community Nurse Visits Requester/Person In Need to Confirm Level of Need

Prior to Any Volunteer Contacting Parishioner or Caregiver

Periodically to Confirm If Level Has Changed Based on Volunteer's Parishioner's Status

Discussion Annually

Volunteer's First Meeting with Parishioner and/or Caregiver

By Phone or Personally Introduced By St. Francis’ Faith Community NurseCaregiver Will Provide Up to 30 Minutes to Orient Volunteer to Physical Surroundings and Needs (Physical and Psychological) [This Could Be At the First Scheduled Activity.]

Verbal Requests for Assistance

Additional Requests Outside of Original Request

Contact St. Francis' Faith Community Nurse or Ask Parishioner and/or Caregiver to Update Companion Request Form

If Uncomfortable With Request, Contact St. Francis' Faith Community Nurse Immediately

Contact Information

Director of Health MinistryFaith Community NurseTracey Eberhardt, MS, RN

410-792-0470 ext.214 Email parishnurse@instrumentofpeace.org

Questions?