Senior Armed Security Officer
Sentara Health
Summary
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.
Job description
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.
- 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.
- Serve as a resource for junior team members and support the local leadership team.
- Play a key role in training new team members.
- Ensure day-to-day operations are carried out in the absence of an onsite supervisor.
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) or Private Protective Services/Armed – Certification with NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS)
Experience
1 year of security experience (Required)
Requirements
- High School Diploma
- Handle with Care (HWC) Certification
- Certified Healthcare Security Officer (CHSO) Certification, IAHSS
- State DMV Motor Vehicle Record and current Valid Driver's license
- Private Security Services Registration – Armed with VA DCJS OR Private Protective Services/Armed Certification with NC NCDPS
- 1 year of security experience
- Internal Sentara security colleague
- Completion of Sentara training courses and fitness for duty evaluations
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Adoption, Fertility & Surrogacy Reimbursement
- Paid Time Off & Sick Leave
- Paid Parental & Family Caregiver Leave
- Emergency Backup Care
- Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
- Critical Illness Plans
- Life Insurance
- 401(k)/403(b) Employer Match
- Tuition Assistance
- Student Debt Pay Down
- Pet Insurance
- Legal Resources Plan
- Annual Discretionary Bonus
Company overview
Sentara Health is a leading not-for-profit integrated healthcare delivery system serving Virginia, northeastern North Carolina, and Florida. Founded in 1888 and headquartered in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Sentara operates 12 acute care hospitals across its service area, with 10 hospitals holding prestigious Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. The organization employs approximately 34,000 healthcare professionals and serves over 1 million health plan members through its Sentara Health Plans division. As one of the top 20 largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the United States, Sentara is nationally recognized for clinical quality, safety, and innovation. The system has received numerous accolades including Health Quality Innovator of the Year (2024), Forbes' "America's Best-In-State Employer" (2024), and inclusion in IBM Watson Health's "Top 15 Health Systems." Sentara's comprehensive services span hospital care, outpatient facilities, home health, hospice services, and specialized programs like the Nightingale air ambulance service, which has completed over 20,000 missions since 1982.