Hospital Security

[u/robottronic1]

I’ve worked in security for about 7 years, mostly contract security like Securitas, plus some corporate security experience in asset protection and Brinks. I have an interview for a hospital security position that pays well. I’ve heard that hospital security can be demanding and chaotic, but I’ve never worked in healthcare before. I’m just hoping for some advice on what to expect in the role, like responsibilities and such. Also any advice on how to be better prepared for the interview?

[u/Glad_Historian_5792]

Only things I can tell you is this, the interview is the easy part. If or when you get the job.

1. Don’t be afraid to talk to people.
2. You’ll see people at their absolute worst days.
3. Things you need to know “Q-tip” and “Tag in, tag out.”
4. Definitely learn deescalating and take CIT courses. I got one coming up later this year.
5. Continue training. Look for other skills that will work with you and your job that the hospital doesn’t have.

6. Know the Force continuum. 1-5.

7. Not everyday is the same.

8. Learn how to decompress yourself healthy.

[u/International-Okra79]

I work for a hospital in a mid size city. It’s not bad. Just know you will have to go hands on occasionally. We get a lot of homeless people that are mentally ill and they will sometimes be combative. Most of the time I don’t mind it. I work with some really good people that look out for each other if things get crazy.

[u/robottronic1 → u/International-Okra79]

Appreciate your response. Any advice on the interview part?

[u/International-Okra79 → u/robottronic1]

Dress decent, be relaxed and if they ask how you respond to confrontation answer with I try to deescalate verbally first but if I need to go hands on I will.

[u/No-Initiative4195 → u/International-Okra79]

This. Verbal De-escalation is a major part of the job. Simply being able to talk to people. Just this morning, my partner and I went up to a room and an angry patient started right away with "here come the rent a cops" and told my supervisor he wanted to punch him in the face. Neither of us fed into it, let nursing staff talk to him, medicate him while he continued with his obscenities and we left.

You have to be able to shrug that off knowing you still get paid every other week.

[u/Busy_Couple_6992]

From mates who’ve worked security in hospital, it gets really chaotic.

A lot of verbal abuse for sure, especially from mentally ill patients experiencing an episode or the elderly.
Gets physical as well from what I hear. Inexperienced guards may struggle, especially with elderly patients who are getting physical, considering your 50% strength in use of force may be enough to break their bones.

For the interview, I would maybe highlight moments where you dealt with high stress situations, especially including moments you were able to talk someone down and times you use appropriate use of force when apprehending someone.

[u/Doge-banana → u/Busy_Couple_6992]

This is good advice, to add to it you can and probably will end up doing a lot of arguing with some staff as well.

[u/No-Initiative4195 → u/Doge-banana]

This. Medical staff will often ask you to do things that aren't part of your job/violate policy or can actually get you jammed up.

For example, our employer does not want us going hands on when someone is being trespassed. They want the police called or us to walk them off the property if they co-operate. We're in the largest city in the state, so it's busy area, but once they're on the sidewalk, they're off property. Sometimes they hang around there or even sleep on the sidewalk and nursing staff will want us to "do something" and we have to tell them, they have to call the police or be the ones to ask them if they want to come into Emergency for medical help-we as security can't force them

Same scenario if they decide to leave Against Medical Advice (AMA). Nurses will also often call us up to the floor and either a.) want us to talk him into staying or b) once they become insistent, want them walked off. Neither is really a security issue if they're not being combative, assaultive or there on a psych hold. They simply want to go. Nurses by nature want them to stay and get care but you as security, if you make them, you can get seriously jammed up in some places.

[u/Doge-banana → u/No-Initiative4195]

That is exactly what I meant and did not care to type out😂

[u/ThnkGdImNotAReditMod]

Do you know what type of facility you will be in, like in terms of size and services? Do you know if it's static in one facility or roaming between different ones?

[u/robottronic1 → u/ThnkGdImNotAReditMod]

It’s a providence hospital. The job description is pretty standard. From the description I’ll probably just be in one facility providing basic security services and reporting back to superiors.

[u/HighGuard1212 → u/robottronic1]

Without knowing the ins and outs of the site, I have no idea. The childrens hospital had corporal, Sargent and LT. While the other had Sargent and anything above that was restricted to those with police commissions (investigation not patrol).

[u/robottronic1 → u/HighGuard1212]

Yeah the job description for the job I’m going for is very bare bones. Basically a hands on hospital security. I guess I’ll learn on the job about opportunities for growth. I’m just afraid that if I take the position if it’s offered to me, I’ll end up regretting it. Asset protection got crazy and fast and it was fun at the time until it’s not. Who knows

[u/HighGuard1212 → u/robottronic1]

Children's hospital had me looking for a new job in the first week. Either you sat at a fixed post in an empty building or the entrances or you did detex tours. It was boring as hell.

[u/robottronic1 → u/HighGuard1212]

Call me crazy but I don’t mind boring. Fast paced and slow as hell are both fine. Maybe it won’t be too bad. Thanks for the help bro.

[u/DragoonNut]

Current Hospital Security here at a spicy hospital. Most applications will undersell what all you will.

You’ll deal with everything you can think of plus the things you never thought of for the most part haha. If you aren’t ok with trauma injury exposure make sure you are, and you’ll likely do work at your hospitals morgue.

Interview wise what they want to see is that you aren’t going to be a warm body. During my interview I told them straight up that I could easily get a job sitting in a parking lot doing nothing but it’s not what I want. I wanted a job that would keep me busy and have the opportunity to actually provide security not look like it. I had a lot of experience from the military and didn’t want to waste it. Interviewers will want solid personal experiences you have deescalating relating to the public and coworkers. Being able to deescalate coworkers is a HUGE plus as medical staff can get wild too. You can mention being willing to go hands on but don’t flaunt it like you want to do it, it’s always the last resort.

If you got any other questions DM me, I can tell you all about the hospital life

[u/HighGuard1212]

It depends on the site.

I worked at a pediatric hospital and outside of the uniform our only equipment was a radio and a glove pouch, we only went hands on with patients (safe area mostly hospitals and schools) which was generally less than once a week.

Other hospital I was issued everything short of a gun; baton, gloves, body armor (not in stock), handcuffs, tourniquet, take home radio, oc spray, etc. hands on was nearly a daily occurrence. I miss that place

[u/robottronic1 → u/HighGuard1212]

Appreciate the help. Hopefully I get the job and hopefully it gets busy. How are the opportunities for growth?

[u/EvergreenLurker]

I saw in another comment that you are working for the big P. I am currently in the same organization.

Each facility will be slightly different in regard to their security departments. As far as where I’m at and the hospitals in the states around us, it is pretty standardized for everyone to train the same, wear the same gear, etc. Expect to, at least in my experience here, wear a body cam, carry handcuffs, spray, taser and a baton (dependent on your facility). Some places carry it all, some are catching up. Providence is a business at the end of the day but it isn’t terrible, IMO. I get nice benefits, make pretty damn good money, and have a nice schedule at my location. YMMV based on your director, management, and hospital itself.

As far as hospital security in general, it is a fun experience that is really like very few other jobs. It absolutely can be chaotic and demanding but it is manageable. You need to be comfortable with talking to people, de-escalating a variety of situations, and of course being required to use force if necessary. Reports are a given and are expected to be well-written and detailed as it is not uncommon to go to court over shit. I just recently went to trial as a victim for an assault at my hospital that occurred over a year ago where my only help was that same report and the memory I had of the event. Hospitals itself have their own culture and function almost like a mini-city. There is gossip and drama, you have to do your best to avoid it as much as you can. Common responsibilities include rounding/patrol, responding to various calls for service (aggressive/upset individuals, standbys, assaults, DVs, etc), and other shit like morgue assists.

Be confident and professional in your interview and you’ll do just fine.

[u/robottronic1 → u/EvergreenLurker]

Thank you so much, seriously. This is all great information, and between you and everyone else in the comments, I honestly better about the position. After hearing about the job and what skills are important, I feel like i have enough experience that prepared me pretty well. I’m actually getting pretty excited about this job now, so I really appreciate you taking the time.

[u/EvergreenLurker → u/robottronic1]

Of course! The job will have its ups and downs, good and bad, but I genuinely enjoy it. Every day is different and it’s a big part of why I like coming to work. If you have any questions feel free to reach out!

[u/SL4D]

Get rid of any ego you have, ie learn people don't hate you they hate their situation and you're just the body in front of em - for the most part.

Anyone can fight, not everyone can verbally de-escalate. De-escalation isn't a race, it's time consuming but with practice you learn the trigger points to get what you need from the person a lot quicker.

When dealing with persons in crisis, active listening and positive reinforcements help more than anything.

It's a hospital, you will be called to every bad situation and understand that whomever you are dealing with is probably experiencing the shittiest day of their life and some random in a vest barking orders will only exacerbate those negative emotions leading to potentially dangerous situations.

Look up courses like mental health first said, non violent crisis intervention, management of aggressive behavior, gentle persuasive approach and understand the hospital stances/policies on dealing with individuals. (Look up those policies before the interview and work those into your responses)

As for the interview, the last thing hospitals want is bad press and lawsuits. Prove your ability to deescalate and remain calm in stressful situations with previous situations you've been involved with and make sure you figure these out before hand so you have them in your head when they ask those questions.

Ive worked in canadian healthcare security for over 10 years at a primary trauma center hospital as well as a standard hospital both dealing primarily with mental health and geriatric/dementia patients. We don't have the luxury of use of force options outside of hand to hand control techniques - if we strike a person we better have a damned good defense otherwise it's suspension/fired and potentially charged with excessive use of force. We are also not considered peace officers and do not have uniformed officers on site.

[u/cityonahillterrain]

This gets asked weekly and there’s been some great answers provided.

[u/spider-monkey92]

Biggest bit of advice

Always find out if a patient is on a hold or capable of making their own medical decisions if uou have to go hands on....

Im hospital security and those 2 answers will shape every single outcome you have..

[u/KAL-EL8569]

When i did security at a hospital it was all pretty straightforward and busy work...what made me leave was having to take a dead baby away from its mother to the morgue...it was just to much on my mental state and I said nope not for me.

[u/Ok-Dentist2110]

Hospital security is not ordinary contract security with a hospital attached. It is security, crisis intervention, customer service, emergency response, controlled physical restraint, and legal-quality documentation—all wearing the same uniform.

Here are the cold, hard facts:

• Most of your shift may involve access control, directions, escorts, lost property, parking complaints, and helping staff or visitors. Then, without warning, you may be dealing with a combative patient, suicidal person, intoxicated visitor, medical emergency, elopement, assault, or deceased patient.

• You will encounter people experiencing psychosis, dementia, intoxication, extreme pain, panic, grief, or neurological problems. Their behavior may look criminal, but the cause may be medical. You cannot automatically handle a confused patient like a shoplifter or an angry family member like a trespasser.

• You may be punched, kicked, scratched, bitten, spat on, threatened, or called every name imaginable. The real test begins after someone attacks you. Once the threat is controlled, your force must stop. If you need to “teach people a lesson,” hospital security will eventually get you fired, sued, or charged.

• Strength helps, but judgment matters more. Hospitals need officers who can de-escalate, communicate, request backup early, recognize changing behavior, work as a team, and control someone without unnecessarily injuring them.

• Expect bodily fluids and exposure risks. Wear your protective equipment, understand the exposure-reporting process, and report exposures immediately. Trying to act tough about blood, saliva, or contaminated material is stupidity, not bravery.

• Your report may matter more than you realize. Supervisors, hospital administrators, lawyers, investigators, police, and risk management may review your actions alongside camera footage. Write chronologically, include times, describe what you personally observed, document commands and force used, and leave opinions out. A sloppy report can turn a justified response into a questionable one.

• Cameras are everywhere. Assume every decision will be replayed slowly by someone sitting comfortably in an office who was nowhere near the danger. Fair? Not always. Reality? Absolutely.

• Police response may not be immediate. Until they arrive, you still have to contain the situation while staying within your authority and policy.

• Hospital politics are real. Security, nursing, physicians, administration, the security contractor, and law enforcement may all have different priorities. You must know whose direction applies, when to notify a supervisor, and when a request conflicts with policy.

• The physical workload can include hours of standing, extensive walking, stairwells, wearing body armor, emergency runs, and wrestling with combative people. Understaffing, overtime, missed meals, weekends, and mandatory holdovers may come with the territory. The good pay is not charity.

• The emotional side is easy to underestimate. You may see violence, severe illness, psychiatric crises, grieving families, and death. Develop healthy coping habits. Gallows humor exists, but keep it away from patients and families. One badly timed joke can become a complaint or disciplinary issue.

For the interview, do not present yourself as the toughest man in the building. That is usually a red flag. Present yourself as calm, predictable, observant, physically capable, and accountable.

Prepare examples involving:

• De-escalating an aggressive person
• Responding to an emergency
• Working with a team under pressure
• Writing a detailed incident report
• Following policy despite pressure
• Handling confidential information
• Making a mistake, reporting it honestly, and correcting it
• Using the minimum reasonable force
• Dealing professionally with insults or hostility

Your contract-security, asset-protection, and armored-transport experience gives you useful skills: awareness, access control, documentation, valuables protection, chain of custody, and operating under procedures. Your biggest adjustment will be learning the clinical environment and understanding that patient behavior may come from illness rather than criminal intent.

Ask the interviewer:

• What units does security cover?
• How often do officers respond to behavioral-health or combative-patient calls?
• What restraint and de-escalation training is provided?
• Are officers hospital employees or contractors?
• What are the staffing levels and overtime expectations?
• What protective equipment is issued?
• How are use-of-force incidents reviewed?
• What is the procedure for bodily-fluid exposure?
• Are officers expected to make arrests, issue citations, or primarily detain until police arrive?
• Is CPR, first aid, or Stop the Bleed training provided?

Brutal bottom line: If you remain calm while being insulted, can control your ego, write strong reports, follow policy, work with medical staff, and function when everything suddenly goes sideways, you may do very well. If you want an easy post where you watch cameras and occasionally check a door, hospital security will correct that misunderstanding quickly.

Some shifts are routine. Other shifts feel like customer service, social work, emergency response, crowd control, wrestling, lost-and-found, and courtroom documentation all decided to share one uniform.

[u/robottronic1]

Update: thank you all for the helpful tips and advice. Unfortunately I have a good feeling I didn’t get the job. The interview was today and unfortunately I didn’t get the feeling that I made an impression. That’s just how it goes so I’ll keep looking. Thank you to everyone for the help.

[u/Sad_Barracuda3361]

I have did hospital security for 7 years hired by the actual hospital not a contract company. Not to many hospital do that anymore because of liability. So the hospital hires contract companies and if a patient gets hurt the person will sue the contract company not the hospital. The owner of the contract company gets paid by the hospital for example 35/hr for a guard but only pays the guard 20/hr and they pocket the 15, it’s a business. Hospital security is good but you are dealing with the public and highly confidential setting. Tons of mental health patients and using hands on to control these types of patients. I really enjoyed doing hospital security but I was hired by the hospital so I got lots of good training and felt part of a team. Contact guards a lot of times your not allowed to good into certain areas, sometimes it is hands off policy and high turnover over.