Reception Desk Volunteers are Needed to Support Hospice Mission

​Are you looking for a way to give back to the community to make a positive difference? Hospice of the Western Reserve is seeking reception desk volunteers at David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland and Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake.  

Reception desk volunteers are often the “first face of hospice” to visiting families and guests. They not only provide a friendly welcome at the two hospice inpatient units but play a crucial role in helping the facilities provide safe and secure environments for patients, visitors and staff. During the pandemic, receptionists play an especially vital role, screening all visitors and taking temperatures. (Training for these procedures is provided.) 

“Many of our volunteers have had family members or friends who have received care here,” said Patti Hanrahan, Volunteer Service Manager at Ames Family Hospice House. “They find it especially rewarding to help other families going through this difficult time. Their personal experiences provide a level of empathy that is invaluable to us.”

Lori Scotese, Volunteer Service Manager at David Simpson Hospice House, agreed. “It’s a way to give back to help others. Their first-hand knowledge about the sacredness of our mission in the community makes the experience very fulfilling for them,” she added.

Reception desk volunteers work three-hour shifts, so a variety of convenient time options are available at both locations to fit almost any schedule. The reception desks are staffed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Social distancing, masking and stringent sanitization procedures are in place to ensure a safe environment.

The first step is to set up a virtual interview and complete an application. Hospice of the Western Reserve conducts a background check for all prospective volunteers and performs a required TB test at the agency’s expense. Flu shots are also required. 

Prospective volunteers are then enrolled in virtual training classes where they learn more about Hospice of the Western Reserve’s mission, their new role and the requirements of the position. Virtual volunteer training is offered once or twice a month and consists of four three-hour sessions. “We take the time to work with them to provide all the support and resources they need to do a great job,” Scotese said. 

For more information about becoming a reception desk volunteer at Ames Family Hospice House or David Simpson Hospice House, contact the Volunteer Team at 216.255.9090, email volunteering@hospicewr.org, or go online at Hospicewr.org. Visit the volunteer page to fill out an application. 

We Can Help

Speak with the referral team by contacting us seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Any first visit and admission can be made the first day.

Northern Ohio's Hospice of Choice

More than 1,000 Hospice of the Western Reserve employees and 3,000 volunteers live and work side-by-side in the same neighborhoods with our patients and families. We are privileged to have cared for more than 100,000 Northern Ohioans since our inception.