BVP Advocate Training

Required External Training

Complete the following free training before or alongside the BVP modules:

• HHS Official HIPAA Training, Free federal training on patient privacy (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services)
• CMS HIPAA Privacy Guide, Medicare Learning Network reference guide (PDF)

Florida Statutes & References

• F.S. 381.026, Florida Patient’s Bill of Rights, Every patient in Florida has the right to dignity, privacy, information, and to participate in their care decisions
• F.S. 394.463, Baker Act (Involuntary Examination), Florida’s mental health crisis law. Know the basics in case you encounter a patient in psychiatric crisis.
• F.S. 429, Assisted Living Facilities / Assisted Care Communities, Florida regulations for assisted living and care homes
• Medicare Care Compare, Look up nursing home inspection reports and quality ratings

Federal References

• HIPAA for Individuals, HHS guide on patient rights under HIPAA
• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, Basic infection control awareness for facility volunteers

BVP Training Videos

Why BVP Exists

The Bedside Village was born from a simple but painful truth: when a loved one is hospitalized, families are often left navigating a complex, overwhelming system alone. Our founder, Micheline Nelson, experienced this firsthand when her mother was hospitalized. That experience became the catalyst for everything we do.

Our Mission

No one faces a hospital alone. As a BVP Advocate, you are the compassionate, trained presence that walks alongside patients and their families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

What You Are (and What You Are Not)

The BVP Advocate Pledge

As a BVP Advocate, I commit to:

• Treat every patient and family with dignity, compassion, and respect
• Maintain strict confidentiality (HIPAA compliance)
• Represent ECO Relationships with integrity and professionalism
• Never impose my beliefs, offer spiritual care only when welcomed
• Follow all facility rules, safety protocols, and BVP guidelines

What is HIPAA?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects patient health information. As a volunteer entering healthcare facilities, you are bound by these rules.

Protected Health Information (PHI)

PHI includes anything that could identify a patient:

• Name, address, date of birth, phone number
• Medical conditions, diagnoses, treatments
• Room number, doctor’s name
• Photos, conversations, anything overheard

The Golden Rules

What You CAN Share

Breach Consequences

HIPAA violations can result in immediate removal from the BVP program, and in serious cases, federal fines up to $50,000 per violation. This is not to scare you, it’s to protect the people you serve.

Required: Complete External HIPAA Training

Before You Enter the Room

• Check with the nursing station, ask if the patient is accepting visitors
• Sanitize your hands (every time, no exceptions)
• Knock gently and wait for a response before entering
• If the patient is asleep, leave a comfort kit with a note and move on

The First 30 Seconds

Your introduction sets the tone for the entire visit:

Active Listening

• Listen more than you talk, your presence is the gift, not your words
• Maintain eye contact, nod, use affirming language (“I hear you”, “That must be so hard”)
• Don’t try to fix, solve, or minimize their pain
• Avoid “at least” statements (“At least it’s not...”), they invalidate feelings

What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say

Ending the Visit

• Keep visits to 10-20 minutes unless the patient wants more time
• Leave the comfort kit and resource guide
• If they request follow-up support, note it and report to your team lead
• Thank them: “It was a privilege to spend time with you today.”

Every patient and family we visit receives the same five things. It is what the hospital cannot give, and it is what BVP exists to provide.

The Five Things

• Prayer & Presence, time at the bedside. Unhurried, unintrusive, Christ-centered.
• Personalized Prayer Card, a scripture card chosen for their situation and left with them.
• Listening Ear, space for the patient or family to be heard without being rushed or fixed.
• Resource Guide, the BVP hospital toolkit with patient rights and local resources.
• Community Connection, follow-through from ECO after the visit ends, not a one-time drop-in.

What We Do Not Promise

For Family Members

Always offer the resource guide to family members separately. They are often the ones who need the most support but receive the least attention. Ask: “Is there anything you need right now?”

Follow-Through

After every visit, note the patient’s name (first name is enough), the prayer request, and whether the family asked for continued contact. Turn that in to your team lead so ECO can follow up with a card, a call, or a meal as appropriate.

The BVP Approach to Spiritual Care

We are a Christ-centered organization, but we serve everyone, regardless of their faith, denomination, or beliefs. Spiritual care is always offered, never imposed.

When to Offer Prayer

How to Pray at the Bedside

• Keep it short (1-2 minutes), sincere, and specific to their situation
• Pray for healing, peace, strength, and comfort, not for specific medical outcomes
• Use gentle, inclusive language
• If they share their faith tradition, honor it
• You may offer to hold their hand, only if they reach first or if you ask and they agree

Handling Difficult Spiritual Questions

Patients in crisis may ask: “Why did God let this happen?” or “Where is God right now?”

Hospitals

• Always check in at the volunteer desk or nursing station
• Wear your BVP badge visibly at all times
• Avoid ICU, isolation rooms, and surgical areas unless specifically cleared
• Follow all infection control protocols (masks, gowns if required)

Nursing Homes & Assisted Living

• Many residents are lonely, even a 5-minute visit can transform their day
• Speak clearly and slowly. Many residents have hearing difficulties.
• Be patient with memory issues. If they repeat a story, listen as if it’s the first time.
• Residents have federally protected rights, review the Nursing Home Bill of Rights

Hospice

Rehabilitation Centers

• Patients are often frustrated with their progress, encourage without minimizing
• Never assist with physical tasks (transfers, walking, eating), that is staff’s role

VA Hospitals

• Veterans may carry trauma, be especially sensitive to triggers
• Thank them for their service, but don’t press for war stories
• VA facilities have their own volunteer credentialing, follow their specific process

Personal Safety

• Never visit alone during your first 6 months, always go with a partner or team
• Park in well-lit areas. Walk to your car with someone if visiting after dark.
• If a patient or family member becomes aggressive, leave the room calmly and notify staff immediately
• Carry your phone. Your team lead’s number should be in your contacts.

Infection Control

Medical Emergencies

If a patient has a medical emergency during your visit:

• Step 1: Press the nurse call button immediately
• Step 2: Step out of the room to make space for medical staff
• Step 3: Do NOT attempt to provide medical assistance
• Step 4: Report the incident to your team lead

Emotional Emergencies

If a patient expresses suicidal thoughts or intent to harm themselves:

BVP Code of Conduct

As a BVP Advocate, you agree to:

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times (HIPAA)
• Dress appropriately, wear your BVP badge and t-shirt during all visits
• Arrive on time for scheduled visits and notify your team lead if you cannot make it
• Never accept gifts, money, or personal items from patients
• Never solicit donations or promote any product/service during visits
• Treat every person with dignity regardless of their background, faith, or choices
• Report any concerns, incidents, or boundary violations to leadership immediately
• Complete a brief visit report after each facility visit

Grounds for Removal

What Happens Next

1. Background check, you’ll receive an email with a secure link to complete your screening (BVP covers the cost)
2. Orientation session, in-person or virtual meet with the BVP team lead
3. 2 supervised visits, you’ll shadow an experienced advocate at a partner facility
4. Certification, after completing supervised visits, you receive your BVP Certified Advocate certificate and you’re cleared to serve independently