SECURITY OFFICER, HEALTHCARE

Occupational Summary

Perform a variety of security and safety-related functions to safeguard students, employees, visitors, patients, and property. Maintain a non-escalating environment for all patients, visitors, and staff while representing Duke Health in a professional manner.

Work Performed

Customer Service and Professionalism

• Serve as a professional representative of Duke Health, ensuring a positive first impression.
• Show respect through verbal etiquette in person, via telephone, and other communication methods.
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency when assisting customers in problem resolution.
• Communicate concern effectively through facial expression, tone of voice, word choice, and body language.
• Maintain a professional appearance in accordance with policy.

Patrolling and Monitoring

• Patrol and monitor premises on foot and by motorized vehicle to prevent incidents and detect signs of suspicious or criminal activity.
• Respond promptly to, investigate, and properly document calls for service, including:
  • Alarm responses
  • Directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic
  • Assisting patients
  • Providing emergency medical assistance
  • Motorist assistance
  • Addressing parking violations
  • Offering protective escorts
  • Responding to suspicious circumstances
  • Locking/unlocking doors

Crisis Management and De-Escalation

• Remain calm, empathetic, and in control when de-escalating difficult situations.
• Respond to patient intervention calls using the safest and most therapeutic approaches.
• Restrain volatile or combative patients when de-escalation is ineffective, in accordance with safety protocols.

Weapons-Free Environment Enforcement

• Control patient and visitor entry into hospital facilities, ensuring compliance with security protocols.
• Professionally verify appropriate access authorization to restricted hospital areas.
• Operate detection and electronic monitoring devices to prevent weapons or contraband from entering hospital premises.
• Conduct searches of patient and visitor property when necessary.
• Actively monitor individuals during daily patrols to identify potential threats and take appropriate action per department policy.

Compliance and Policy Enforcement

• Maintain certification in CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) training, Vistelar training, and CPR.
• Certain assignments may require PPSB (Private Protective Security Board) certification—maintain eligibility if applicable.
• Understand and apply CMS guidelines for patient restraints and TASER use, as required by assignment.
• Apply North Carolina laws regarding self-defense and TASER use when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with Duke University policies, including smoking regulations and enforcement actions as needed.

Facility and Equipment Monitoring

• Perform basic vehicle maintenance such as checking fluids and reporting mechanical issues.
• Observe and report hazardous or unusual conditions within Duke University and Duke Health System facilities.
• Maintain working knowledge of the physical layout of all relevant facilities and grounds.

Education

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina Driver's License.
• Must pass or achieve an acceptable score on all pre-employment screenings.
• Must pass an extensive background investigation.
• Continued employment is contingent upon:
  • Successful attainment of job-related certifications (e.g., CPR, IHASS, First Aid).
  • Ability to perform duties associated with these certifications within the timeframe established by the department.

Experience

One year of experience preferably in a security-related field.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.