Security Officer for Behavioral Health

DCH Health System•Northport, AL

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Security Officer assigned to the Behavioral Health Unit ensures the safety and security of patients, staff, visitors, and the premises within the hospital's behavioral health department. This role is critical in managing challenging behavioral situations, de-escalating potential conflicts, and responding swiftly to emergencies while maintaining a calm, supportive presence. Security Officers must remain alert to potential safety risks while respecting the sensitive nature of the unit, ensuring that all protocols are followed to protect both patients and hospital personnel. This position plays a critical role in ensuring a safe and supportive atmosphere for both patients and staff. A compassionate approach paired with vigilance and professionalism is essential.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
CPR and First Aid Certification.
State-mandated security training or licensing.
Ability to communicate with individuals on all levels.
Must be self-directed
Must have sound judgement, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and not be afraid of rolling up the sleeves to deliver practical solutions.
Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in security, law enforcement, or behavioral health preferred.
Certification in crisis intervention or de-escalation techniques (e.g. CPI, Healthy Interventions, etc).
Strong communication, observational, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to remain calm and professional in high-stress situations.

Responsibilities

Monitor and secure the premises to prevent unauthorized access or disturbances.
Conduct regular patrols of the unit, ensuring all areas are safe and free of hazards.
Respond promptly to alarms, emergencies, or incidents within the unit.
Assist in the prevention and de-escalation of potentially volatile situations.
Maintain a calm and respectful presence, helping to create a secure and therapeutic environment.
Assist clinical staff in non-physical interventions to manage patient behavior.
Support the enforcement of unit policies while treating patients with dignity and respect.
Observe and report any unusual patient behavior or security concerns.
Operate and monitor surveillance systems as necessary.
Provide detailed reports of incidents, safety checks, and other relevant activities utilizing hospital reporting and any other required
Adhere to hospital policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and other legal standards.
Complete initial and ongoing training in behavioral health, de-escalation techniques, and crisis management.
Attend and participate in staff meetings and education.
Participate in emergency response efforts, including various codes and other safety-related protocols.
Use non-violent crisis intervention techniques to manage challenging situations safely.
Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure appropriate responses to patient needs.
Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
All other duties as assigned.