Safety & Security Officer

Safety And Security Officer

The Safety and Security Officers serve as a frontline safety professional responsible for maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for patients, staff, visitors, and community partners across all Lynn Community Health Center facilities.

This role combines healthcare security, workplace violence prevention, emergency response, risk management, customer service, and public safety functions to support the Health Center's mission of providing high-quality healthcare in a safe and respectful environment.

The Safety and Security Officers act as a visible safety leader who proactively identifies risks, responds to emergencies, de-escalates potentially volatile situations, supports emergency preparedness initiatives, conducts preliminary investigations, and collaborates with clinical teams, leadership, and public safety agencies.

Through a trauma-informed and patient-centered approach, the Safety and Security Officers protect people, facilities, information, and organizational assets while promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and respect throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety & Security Operations

• Maintain a highly visible safety presence throughout all Health Center facilities.
• Conduct routine interior and exterior patrols to identify hazards, suspicious activity, security concerns, or operational risks.
• Monitor and operate surveillance systems, panic alarm systems, access control systems, and related security technologies.
• Maintain security of restricted, clinical, administrative, and unoccupied areas.
• Assist with visitor management and facility access control procedures.
• Protect organizational assets and property from loss, theft, vandalism, or misuse.
• Provide safety escorts for staff, patients, visitors, and contractors as requested.

Workplace Violence Prevention & Behavioral Safety

• Serve as a frontline responder to workplace violence concerns and disruptive behavior incidents.
• Identify early warning signs of escalating behavior and intervene using approved de-escalation techniques.
• Support clinical teams during behavioral health emergencies and patient crises.
• Respond to verbal threats, intimidation, aggressive behavior, and other safety concerns.
• Participate in Workplace Violence Prevention training initiatives and exercises.
• Promote trauma-informed, patient-centered interactions during all encounters.

Emergency Response & Preparedness

• Respond promptly to emergency alerts, codes, safety incidents, and crisis situations.
• Assist with fire emergencies, medical emergencies, evacuations, shelter-in-place events, severe weather incidents, utility failures, and security incidents.
• Support implementation of Emergency Operations Plans and Incident Command System principles.
• Participate in drills, exercises, and emergency preparedness training activities.
• Assist with emergency communications and coordination efforts during incidents.
• Apply RACE, PASS, and other emergency response protocols as required.

Incident Investigation & Documentation

• Conduct preliminary investigations involving safety incidents, threats, theft, property damage, workplace violence events, and policy violations.
• Interview involved parties, witnesses, staff members, and visitors when appropriate.
• Collect, preserve, and document relevant evidence and information.
• Maintain chain-of-custody procedures when evidence is collected.
• Prepare detailed, accurate, and objective incident reports.
• Enter incidents into designated reporting systems in accordance with organizational procedures.
• Assist leadership with incident reviews and corrective action recommendations.

Risk Management & Hazard Prevention

• Identify environmental, operational, and behavioral safety risks.
• Conduct routine safety observations and facility inspections.
• Report hazards and unsafe conditions for corrective action.
• Support organizational safety initiatives, inspections, audits, and compliance activities.
• Assist with safety assessments and workplace violence risk assessments.
• Promote hazard recognition and injury prevention throughout the organization.

Public Safety & External Agency Coordination

• Communicate and coordinate with law enforcement, fire departments, EMS agencies, emergency management officials, and other public safety partners when necessary.
• Assist leadership during critical incidents and investigations.
• Provide situational updates and operational intelligence during emergencies.
• Support organizational continuity and recovery efforts following incidents.

Customer Service & Community Relations

• Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and respect in all interactions.
• Provide assistance, guidance, and directions to patients, visitors, and staff.
• Address concerns in a calm, respectful, and service-oriented manner.
• Support a welcoming environment while maintaining safety expectations.
• Foster positive relationships with staff, patients, and community members.

Qualifications:

• Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Emergency Management, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be substituted.
• Minimum two years of experience in healthcare security, public safety, law enforcement support, emergency management, military service, behavioral health safety, or related field preferred.
• Experience in conflict resolution, crisis intervention, and behavioral de-escalation.
• Experience preparing incident reports, conducting investigations, and documenting findings.
• Experience operating surveillance systems, access control systems, and computerized reporting platforms.