Perhaps you have a specific area you would like to volunteer in. For example, the AIDS crisis in Africa, or the poor maternity care in Indonesia, or working in mobile clinics bringing vaccinations to villages along the Amazon River. Wherever your interests lie there are positions available. Most of these organizations offer a volunteer search to help match your skills and interests to their needs. It helps to have medical experience in these situations but it is often not necessary. Some programs will offer some training and certifications prior to leaving for the intended country. There are several things you will need to do before you are allowed to volunteer for these positions. Most importantly you will need a valid US passport. Since these can be difficult to obtain you may want to apply for one before you start looking for healthcare volunteer opportunities. You never know how quickly you will leave once you have applied for the position. You will most likely need to pass a background check and provide any credentials if applying for a position that requires healthcare experience.

Depending on which country you will be going to you will need to get certain vaccinations against diseases not commonly seen in the US. For example, malaria can be transmitted by mosquitoes as well as other tropical diseases. Be sure your vaccines are updated as well as getting any additional country-specific vaccines.

There are several different ways hospice volunteers can help the dying. One way is to visit with patients, bring them music, read to them, take them for walks when they can or simply just be there for them. Volunteers can also offer respite care to relieve family members who are keeping vigil by a loved one’s bedside or offer to run errands for spouses or other family of the dying. They can also provide child and pet care, do housework and whatever the family and patient need to ease the dying process. Hospice volunteers also provide bereavement support after the patient has passed away. They can help with funeral arrangements or even bring food for the families. There are so many things a hospice volunteer can do for the patients and families.

Hospice volunteers are a vital part of providing hospice care. The government requires that at least five percent of work hours be fulfilled by volunteers to receive federal funding.  Because of the extremely emotional aspect of helping people die, hospice volunteers are required to participate in an extensive training program. This training covers how to deal with dying patients and their families and also coping mechanisms for volunteers. Hospice volunteers become emotionally tied to their patients and the patient’s families and it is important that they receive regular counseling session to work through their own grief issues. For those willing to help volunteering for a hospice program can be very rewarding.