Public Safety (Security) Officer - Unarmed

Advocate Health

5d•$22 - $33

About The Position

The Public Safety (Security) Officer provides unarmed security services in a healthcare setting using a professional, fair, compassionate, and customer-service-focused approach. The officer helps maintain a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environment for patients, visitors, and teammates by conducting patrols, responding to emergencies and service calls, preventing and investigating workplace violence, and enforcing safety and security rules. The role also involves de-escalation, incident reporting, emergency preparedness, security education, and coordination with clinical departments and law enforcement. This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, with a 3 p.m.–11 p.m. schedule and rotating weekends. The listed pay range is $21.85–$32.80. A high school diploma or GED and typically one year of relevant security, public safety, or customer-service experience are required. Required licenses, certifications, and training include a valid driver’s license and certification in conducted energy weapon use within 90 days of hire. The Healthcare Security Officer Certification must be obtained within two years of appointment. Additional jurisdiction-specific requirements apply to Illinois and Wisconsin teammates.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Typically one year of experience in security, a related public safety area, or customer service, including responding to emergent situations and identifying and resolving risks to patients, visitors, teammates, or property.
Valid driver’s license issued by a Division of Motor Vehicle.
Obtain the Security Officer Healthcare Certification (CHSO) issued by IAHSS within two years of appointment; recertification is not required.
Certified in conducted energy weapon (e.g., TASER) use within 90 days of hire and periodically thereafter.
For Illinois teammates: completion of the State of Illinois 20-hour Basic Security Officer course.
For Illinois teammates: Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) issued by the Illinois State Police.
For Wisconsin teammates: Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license issued by the Department of Justice.
Demonstrate above-average emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion when responding to teammate, visitor, and patient incidents.
Ability to work respectfully and kindly with teammates, supporting a collaborative environment and patient-centered safety practices.
Ability to collaborate with medical staff and external law enforcement as appropriate.
Ability to remain calm under pressure and support a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environment.
Ability to interact with peers with positive intent and develop solutions through collaborative relationships.
Successfully pass a background investigation, drug screen, and pre-placement physical after offer of employment.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, and drive throughout the workday; occasionally lift up to 35 pounds; and push or pull with 35 pounds of force.
Have 20/20 vision in both eyes, or vision correctable to 20/20 with corrective lenses in both eyes.
Ability to walk all facility and grounds areas, restrain individuals when necessary, and assist clinical teammates with lifting patients of all sizes.
Ability to handle personal stress and possible violence and work amid frequent aggressive behavior and emotionally charged situations.
Wear protective clothing as necessary when exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, explosive, or radiation hazards.
Operate all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of behavioral threat assessment.
Knowledge of use-of-force review.
Awareness of crime prevention through environmental design.
Ability to present material and facilitate meetings.

Responsibilities

Provide security services with professionalism, fairness, compassion, and a customer-service approach in accordance with policies, procedures, and training.
Maintain a professional and approachable presence; remain alert and ethical; comply with and enforce safety and security rules; and keep department uniform and equipment in good repair.
Conduct interior and exterior patrols, inspect for vulnerabilities, hazards, and fire conditions, audit Interim Life Safety Measures, manage patient valuables, and conduct contraband searches.
Assist patients, visitors, and teammates with information, directions, and physical help; control traffic; monitor visitor conduct; and question unauthorized persons.
Prevent, respond to, and investigate workplace violence, including calls involving combative or threatening patients or visitors and teammate incidents.
Provide de-escalation and use force when necessary, including use of a conducted energy weapon and handcuffing.
Plan for, prevent, practice, and respond to emergencies such as missing or abducted infants or children, fires, and active threats.
Respond immediately to emergencies and crises and physically intervene, consistent with training, when situations pose a potential for injury.
Investigate incidents on Advocate Health property and complete timely, accurate reports; address and escalate complaints to the appropriate leader with supporting documentation.
Conduct liaison rounds to build partnerships with departments and units, and provide security awareness education to teammates.
Liaise with federal, state, and local law enforcement and first responder agencies; coordinate, brief, and monitor law enforcement prisoner-patient guards for policy compliance and safety.
Maintain required training in radio communications, verbal de-escalation, hemorrhage control, CPR, clinical restraints, conducted energy weapons, and department-issued equipment and training-plan requirements.
Assist with exterior traffic and crowd control, parking enforcement, valet parking, and vehicle assistance.

Benefits

Paid Time Off programs.
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
Educational Assistance Program.
Premium pay may be available for shifts, on-call work, and other circumstances.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.
Career development programs.