Armed Security Officer

Sentara Health•Suffolk, VA

12d•$29 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

The Armed Security Officer maintains a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, staff, and property at the assigned facility. The position includes proactive patrols, access control, incident response, de-escalation of disruptive behavior, and collaboration with clinical staff and local law enforcement. Officers are expected to act professionally and compassionately and respond effectively in high-stress healthcare environments. They assist clinical staff in managing aggressive, combative, or disruptive patients or visitors using approved de-escalation techniques and enforce enterprise policies, rules, and regulations fairly and professionally. They coordinate with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency responders when necessary. The officer performs unarmed security duties as well as armed duties, exercising discretion regarding weapon use. A weapon may be used only in an extreme attack or situation after all nonviolent options have been exhausted. The posting also describes a Senior Armed Security Officer role. In addition to the Armed Security Officer duties, the senior role supports junior colleagues and local leadership, helps train new team members, and ensures day-to-day operations continue when an onsite supervisor is absent. This senior role is open only to internal Sentara security colleagues and requires Sentara training courses, including Handle with Care, and other fitness-for-duty evaluations as prerequisites.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Handle with Care (HWC) Certification through Workday Learning.
Certified Healthcare Security Officer (CHSO) certification from the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS).
State DMV Motor Vehicle Record and a current valid driver's license.
One of the following: Private Security Services Registration – Armed with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), or Private Protective Services/Armed certification with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS).
At least 1 year of security experience.
For the Senior Armed Security Officer role: current internal Sentara security colleague and completion of required Sentara training courses, including Handle with Care, and other fitness-for-duty evaluations.

Responsibilities

Maintain a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, staff, employees, and facility property.
Conduct proactive patrols and manage access control.
Respond to incidents and de-escalate disruptive behavior using approved techniques.
Assist clinical staff with aggressive, combative, or disruptive patients and visitors.
Enforce enterprise policies, rules, and regulations fairly and professionally.
Coordinate with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency responders when needed.
Exercise discretion regarding weapon use; use a weapon only in extreme situations after nonviolent options have been exhausted.
For the senior role: serve as a resource for junior team members, support local leadership, assist with training new team members, and ensure day-to-day operations are carried out when an onsite supervisor is absent.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans.
Adoption, fertility, and surrogacy reimbursement up to $10,000.
Paid time off and sick leave.
Paid parental and family caregiver leave.
Emergency backup care.
Long-term and short-term disability and critical illness plans.
Life insurance.
401(k)/403(b) with employer match.
Tuition assistance up to $5,250 per year and discounted educational opportunities through Guild Education.
Student debt pay down up to $10,000.
Pet insurance.
Legal Resources Plan.
Opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus if established system and employee eligibility criteria are met.