Public Safety Officer

Beth Israel Lahey Health • Boston, MA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Public Safety Officer is responsible for maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for patients, visitors, physicians, employees, and hospital property at Beth Israel Lahey Health and New England Baptist Hospital. The role conducts security patrols, responds to security and safety incidents, monitors access points and security systems, and assists during emergencies. It calls for strong customer service, sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to remain calm and effective in stressful situations. The officer works collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical departments, law enforcement, emergency responders, and other hospital personnel to support a safe patient-care environment.

The officer maintains a visible security presence; patrols hospital buildings, grounds, and parking areas; controls access to restricted areas; responds to calls and disruptive or suspicious activity; assists clinical staff with patients when security intervention is requested; and monitors security technology. Other duties include conducting security checks, supporting emergency preparedness and response, providing escorts, assisting with traffic and crowd management, identifying hazards, safeguarding property, documenting incidents, maintaining confidentiality, and completing required training and certifications.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid current driver’s license, and the ability to communicate effectively, exercise sound judgment, de-escalate conflict, document information, use basic computer and security technology, and handle sensitive information appropriately. Previous security, public safety, law enforcement, military, healthcare security, or related experience is preferred, as is hospital or healthcare security experience. Required certifications and training are completed upon hire, including AVADE Workplace Violence Prevention Levels I, II, III; BLS Provider (CPR and AED); AHA Heart-Saver First Aid; Stop the Bleed; Nasal Naloxone; and safety training for suicidal or homicidal patients and restraints/seclusion.

Officers must be able to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as operationally required, and perform exterior tasks in adverse hot or cold weather. The work is physically demanding, involving extended standing and/or movement and exertion of up to 100 pounds occasionally and/or 50 pounds frequently. The listed base hourly pay range is $21.00–$25.60; actual compensation may vary based on factors such as seniority, education, training, experience, certifications, work location, responsibilities, shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, and overtime. Staff are required to be vaccinated against influenza as a condition of employment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Current, valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and respectfully with patients, visitors, physicians, employees, and leadership.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make appropriate decisions in stressful or rapidly changing situations.
• Ability to de-escalate conflict and manage difficult or disruptive individuals.
• Strong observation, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn and use security-related technology.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Complete upon hire AVADE Workplace Violence Prevention Levels I, II, III Certification; BLS Provider Certification (CPR and AED); AHA Heart-Saver First Aid Certification; Stop the Bleed; Nasal Naloxone Certification; and Safe Environment for Suicidal/Homicidal Patients and Restraints/Seclusion Safety Training.
• Maintain professional conduct and appearance consistent with hospital standards.
• Able to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as operationally required.
• Able to perform exterior tasks during adverse hot or cold weather conditions.
• Able to read and write in English to understand safety instructions, take direction, communicate, and respond to basic questions; able to comprehend and converse in English to communicate effectively.
• Able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or 50 pounds frequently, and to stand and/or move for extended periods.
• Promote the organization's WE CARE values, value diversity, and contribute to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Staff must be vaccinated against influenza as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in security, public safety, law enforcement, military service, healthcare security, or a related field.
• Hospital or healthcare security experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a highly visible security presence throughout the hospital and associated properties.
• Conduct routine interior and exterior patrols of the hospital, parking areas, buildings, grounds, and other assigned locations.
• Monitor and control access to restricted areas in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.
• Respond promptly to security, safety, emergency, and service calls.
• Respond to disruptive behavior, workplace violence, patient or visitor disturbances, suspicious activity, and other security-related incidents.
• Assist with behavioral health, high-risk, or potentially combative patients in accordance with hospital policy and training.
• Assist clinical staff with the safe management of patients when security intervention is requested.
• Monitor access control systems, security alarms, surveillance systems, emergency communication systems, and other security technology.
• Conduct security checks of doors, stairwells, exits, restricted areas, and other designated locations.
• Assist with emergency preparedness activities, including fire alarms, medical emergencies, hazardous conditions, evacuations, and other emergencies.
• Provide escorts for employees, patients, visitors, valuables, or other materials when requested and appropriate.
• Assist with traffic control, parking enforcement, crowd management, and special events.
• Identify and report safety hazards, security vulnerabilities, suspicious activity, and property damage.
• Safeguard hospital property, equipment, medications, sensitive areas, and other assigned assets.
• Prepare accurate, timely, and thorough incident reports, activity logs, and other required documentation.
• Provide professional customer service and assistance while maintaining appropriate security boundaries.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient, employee, and hospital information.
• Participate in required training, drills, exercises, and competency assessments; maintain required certifications and qualifications.
• Promote the organization's WE CARE values and contribute to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED