Pros
Providing a unique and compassionate service to patients and families, the opportunity to use your skills and expertise to care for and teach patients and families the end of life process, being there during a very complicated and difficult time in the lives of people who put their trust in you when they feel that there is no hope. Knowing that you did your best to put that smile on a patients face and brought them and their families comfort in their time of need. Working with the providers, team, and support staff (RN's, Home Health Aides, Social Workers, Chaplains, Volunteers). Notice management not included here!
Cons
Management! They ruin the whole concept of hospice and caring; they do not practice what they preach-"patients and families come first" is a big joke coming from management. They offer no support to their staff, limit resources to staff and patients, do not listen to suggestions, complaints, or concerns, no follow through with existing issues, only praise themselves and abuse employees; they expect more and more with unfair wages and will not give raises (unless you threaten to quit and it depends how much you kiss up to them), no consistency, no structure, lack competence, no compassion, quick to call you out on what they think you've done wrong and will never admit you are an asset to the company, ungrateful to the hard working dedicated staff, will expect you to work long hours and even weekends with no overtime or differentials. They create a poisonous environment and allow employees to get away with bullying others. I can only hope that not all the VITAS programs are run this way, would be a real shame...management want employees who conform and who do not ask questions, if you are a critical thinker with a heart this place is NOT for you.