Armed Security Officer

About the role

• City/State
• Suffolk, VA
• Work Shift
• Second (Evenings)

Overview

Responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, staff, and property at the assigned facilities. This role involves proactive patrols, access control, incident response, de-escalation of disruptive behavior, and collaboration with clinical staff and local law enforcement. Must demonstrate professionalism, compassion, and the ability to respond effectively in high-stress healthcare environments.

Assist clinical staff with managing aggressive, combative, or disruptive patients or visitors using approved de-escalation techniques. Enforce enterprise policies, rules, and regulations in a fair and professional manner. Coordinates with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency responders when necessary.

The Armed Security Officer provides a physically safe and secure environment for patients, visitors and employees at the assigned facility. All Armed Security Officers execute duties of unarmed officer as well as possess the ability to exercise discretion regarding the use of a weapon, only utilizing their weapon in times of extreme attack when all non-violent options have been exhausted.

In addition to all duties assigned to the Armed Security Officer, the Senior Armed Security Officer serves as a resource for junior team members. Is the seasoned security colleague that supports the local leadership team and plays a key role in training new team members. Ensure day-to-day operations are carried out in the absence of an onsite supervisor. The Senior Armed Security Officer maintains a secure environment and may only use a weapon in extreme situations after ALL nonviolent options are exhausted.

The Senior Armed Security Officer role is only open to internal Sentara security colleagues and requires completion of Sentara training courses such as Handle with Care and other fitness for duty evaluations as a pre-requisite.

Education

• High School Diploma (Required)

Certification/Licensure

• HANDLE WITH CARE Certification (HWC) Certification – Workday Learning (Required)
• Certified Healthcare Security Officer (CHSO) Certification, International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) (Required)
• State DMV Motor Vehicle Record and current Valid Driver’s license (Required)
• One of the following is required:
• Private Security Services Registration – Armed with VA Department Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
• Private Protective Services/Armed – Certification with NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS)

Experience - 1 year of security experience (Required)

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, and benefits. The base pay range for full-time employment is $28.98 - $42.90 hourly. Additional compensation may be available for this role, such as shift differentials, on-call pay, overtime, shift premiums, extra-shift incentives, or bonus opportunities. Compensation within the range may vary based on qualifications, experience, location, market conditions, and business needs.

Sentara offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; 401(k)/403(b) with employer match; paid time off (vacation, sick time, and holidays); paid parental and military leave; educational assistance or student loan repayment; and voluntary benefits.

Benefits

Caring For Your Family and Your Career

• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Adoption, Fertility and Surrogacy Reimbursement up to $10,000
• Paid Time Off and Sick Leave
• Paid Parental & Family Caregiver Leave
• Emergency Backup Care
• Long-Term, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness plans
• Life Insurance
• 401k/403B with Employer Match
• Tuition Assistance – $5,250/year and discounted educational opportunities through Guild Education
• Student Debt Pay Down – $10,000
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Resources Plan
• Colleagues have the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus if established system and employee eligibility criteria is met.

Sentara Obici Hospital, a 175-bed state-of-the-art facility, is located on Godwin Boulevard in Suffolk, VA. Our full-service hospital continues a legacy of providing residents of Western Tidewater with high-quality, patient-centered care. As a recognized accredited Primary Stroke Center, and Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, the hospital specializes in orthopedic and spine, heart and vascular, advanced imaging, gynecological and comprehensive breast services, behavioral health, maternity, weight loss surgery, and a heartburn treatment center.

In support of our mission “to improve health every day,” this is a tobacco-free environment.

For positions that are available as remote work, Sentara Health employs associates in the following states:

Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.