Volunteer Program FAQs

Q: I live outside of the Salinas-Monterey area, am I still able to volunteer?

Yes, depending on the type of volunteer service you’re interested in, some opportunities may be available outside the Salinas-Monterey area. Please contact us to learn more about locations and options.

Q: How old do I have to be to volunteer with VNA & Hospice?

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to volunteer with VNA & Hospice.

Q: Is there a time commitment for volunteering?

While we appreciate any amount of time you can give, a regular commitment helps us plan and provide consistent support. We’ll work with you to determine a schedule that fits your availability.

Q: How flexible is the volunteer schedule?

Volunteer schedules are very flexible. You can choose how often and when you volunteer based on your availability.

Q: What if I go on vacation or need to take a leave?

We understand that life happens. Volunteers are always welcome to take breaks for vacations or personal needs. Just let us know in advance when possible.

Q: As a volunteer who is new to the hospice field, what kind of support can I expect?

New hospice volunteers receive thorough training and ongoing support from experienced staff. You’ll never be alone—we’re here to guide and support you throughout your volunteer journey.

I live outside of the Salinas-Monterey area, am I still able to volunteer?

Absolutely! Our office volunteer position is the only one limited to the Salinas area but we see patients all across the central coast. Volunteers serve within their own community and set their volunteer parameters prior to entering the field. A list of the communities we serve can be found below:

Castroville
Moss Landing
Carmel
Carmel Valley
King City
Greenfield
Soledad
Gonzalez
Hollister
Gilroy
San Juan Bautista
Morgan Hill
Pebble Beach
Pacific Grove
Prunedale
Marina
Seaside
Salinas
Monterey

How old do I have to be to volunteer with VNA & Hospice?

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to volunteer.

Is there a time commitment for volunteering?

Yes, VNA & Hospice ask for a time commitment of a minimum of 2-4 hours a week for the duration of 1 year unless you are a special services volunteer. Special service volunteers are asked to make a time commitment of a minimum of 2-4 hours a month for 1 year.

How flexible is the volunteer schedule?

VERY! Your time can be broken down into 1, 2 or 4 hour time slots with the opportunity to volunteer on the evenings and weekends as well. We leave all scheduling up to our volunteers unless a patient is requesting a specific time frame. Once a schedule has been set up, we ask that all volunteers communicate their schedule with volunteer department and remain accountable for their set times.

What if I go on vacation or need to take a leave?

Perfectly fine! We at VNA & Hospice recognize the importance of self-care and encourage all volunteers to take a leave and enjoy their vacation time. Volunteers simply notify the volunteer department of the dates they will be unavailable and we take care of any substitutions needed during this time.

As a volunteer who is new to the hospice field, what kind of support can I expect?

Many of our volunteers come to us with a simple curiosity for hospice and a desire to serve. From the initial phone call and in person interview, the volunteer department works with you to find the right volunteer position. From there, we provide you with an orientation and team training where you can learn more about hospice, the interdisciplinary team, what it is like to work with patients and much more! For volunteers who are working with hospice patients directly, we also make sure that for your first two visits you are accompanied by a member of our interdisciplinary team.

From then on, all volunteers are supported in their patient assignments by the volunteer department and of course-the patient’s immediate care team. Lastly, the volunteer department also provides all volunteers with ongoing in service dates and workshops to allow for continuous support and educational opportunities during your time here at VNA & Hospice.