Organization Overview, Mission, Vision, and Values

Our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical System is a community-owned, locally governed, non-profit health care system located in Northwest Arkansas in the heart of Fayetteville, which is consistently ranked among the Best Places to live in the country. Our 425-bed medical center has been named the #1 hospital in Arkansas for five consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. We employ 3,400+ team members and serve the region with over 40 clinic locations, the region’s only Level II trauma center, and five Centers of Excellence - the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute; Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute; Washington Regional Women and Infants Center; Washington Regional Total Joint Center; and Washington Regional Pat Walker Center for Seniors.

Position Summary

The role of the Security Officer reports to the Safety and Security Manager. This position is responsible for ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors by monitoring premises, controlling access, preventing incidents through patrols and surveillance, responding to emergencies, and enforcing policies.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Protect everyone on the hospital grounds from physical threats, violence, and other harm.
• Monitor entrances and exits to prevent unauthorized access and screen visitors.
• Conduct regular patrols to identify suspicious activity and monitor security camera feeds to detect potential issues before they escalate.
• Respond promptly to codes, alarms, incidents, and emergencies, such as fires, medical crises, or active shooter situations, and coordinate with other emergency services as necessary.
• Use verbal de-escalation techniques and problem-solving skills to manage tense situations with agitated or aggressive patients, visitors, or staff.
• Safeguard hospital equipment, supplies, property, and confidential information from theft and vandalism.
• Assist patients, visitors, and staff by providing escorts, especially after hours or for vulnerable individuals.
• Ensure compliance with hospital policies and regulations related to security and safety.
• Document all security incidents, findings, and actions taken in detailed reports for management and potential future investigations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external clients.
• Promptly respond to codes, alarms, and incidents and complete thorough investigation, including leadership when necessary
• Assist various outside entities such as funeral homes, and all emergency services organizations
• De-escalate situations that arise and maintain and calm and orderly environment

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED, required.
• Licensure and Certifications: Driver’s license and auto liability insurance, required. Complete AVADE Training within 6 months of date of hire or transfer.
• Experience: Minimum 1 year experience in a security officer role, preferred.

Essential Skills

• Ability to notice anything out of the ordinary, such as unauthorized vehicles, people in restricted areas, or malfunctioning equipment.
• Serve as a visible and courteous representative of the hospital, assisting visitors, and addressing safety concerns professionally.
• Effectively communicate with hospital staff, patients, visitors, and law enforcement officials, often using radio systems.
• Ability to de-escalate tense situations and mediate disputes effectively.
• Capability to perform tasks such as patrolling on foot for extended periods, lifting, bending, and potentially restraining individuals.
• Maintain focus to observe the environment, detect threats, and accurately document incidents.
• Manage emotions during stressful and high-pressure situations.

Work Environment: This position will spend approximately 80% of the time standing and/or walking while pushing, pulling, lifting, and/or carrying up to 50 lbs and 20% of the time sitting while performing work in the security office environment. This position will serve a culturally and linguistically diverse patient population. This position will be exposed to communicable disease and bodily fluids.

Notice: This job description is designed to provide an overview of the essential and principal duties and responsibilities of the position. The job description is not designed or intended to cover or set forth a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Washington Regional reserves the right in its absolute discretion to change duties, responsibilities or activities or assign new duties, responsibilities, or activities at any time with or without notice. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.