Security Services - Healthcare Institutional Safety Officer (ISO)

Qualifications

• Grade 12 education (MB Standards)
• Minimum of two (2) years experience as a Qualified Person in a healthcare setting
• Eligible for and maintains licensure to practice as a Security Officer (Guard) in the province of Manitoba
• Successfully complete Healthcare ISO training, and demonstrate competency to be designated as an ISO (Peace Officer status as per Manitoba Police Services Act Amendment)
• Successfully complete Qualified Persons (QP) training and demonstrate competency in order to be designated as per the Mental Health Act
• Must successfully complete Job Suitability Assessment (psychological evaluation)
• Must meet and maintain minimum physical requirements as identified through regulatory employer position requirements. Regular re-testing may occur
• Must meet and maintain minimum vision and hearing requirements as identified through regulatory employer position requirements
• Proficiency with hand held radios or radio communications devices
• Province of Manitoba Class 5 Drivers Licence and access to a personal vehicle to provide service within Prairie Mountain Health
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology
• Ability to demonstrate ongoing competency and capacity in order to maintain the ISO and QP designations as per program requirements
• Ability to restrain or manage uncooperative, violent or hostile persons in the course of duty or response management
• Maintain working knowledge of issues in supporting vulnerable populations, such as but not limited to, homelessness, vulnerable persons, addictions, HARM Reduction, crime prevention and public safety
• Ability to support clients through knowledge and communication of healthcare and community resources
• Demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated problem solving and decision making skills
• Demonstrated flexibility to facilitate changes in techniques and procedures in a changing environment
• Demonstrated knowledge and competence of skills and concepts related to the position
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
• Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis
• Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population
• Ability to work effectively and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, clients and within interdisciplinary team

Position Summary

The Healthcare Institutional Safety Officers (ISO) are healthcare employees who are licensed Security Guards as per the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act ISOs are specifically trained to respond, protect and enforce requirements to achieve safe patient care and healthcare work environments, particularly those facilities which require a high frequency of response to behaviors in acute and forensic mental health units.

The Healthcare ISO is responsible for enforcing the provision of bylaws and of additional appointed statutes as outlined in the Police Services Act under the Institutional Safety Officer program. Working cooperatively with healthcare professionals, law enforcement and other stakeholders, they provide a highly skilled collaborative enforcement and patient care model. The ISO is responsible for enforcement, prevention, intervention, and education of applicable legislation within the healthcare facility. ISOs daily encounter and respond to high-risk situations in sites with documented and high frequency violent behaviors (usually from high volume emergency departments and high acuity mental health units).

Healthcare ISOs are also trained to have the Qualified Persons designation under the Mental Health Act and will be able to maintain safe custody of at risk persons. ISOs provides a safe, comfortable and supportive environment for all clients, staff and visitors by encouraging reliability, effectiveness and efficiency in the operation of the Security Services department.

Responsibilities

Overview

• Maintains a physical presence with the health facilities to provide for rapid response to any high-risk situations with potentially violent, aggressive, and threatening persons. Will be required to utilize a variety of public safety techniques commensurate with their training, with an aim to de-escalate any situation, while ensuring their own safety and that of the public. Where necessary they will respond to resistance through escalation of force up to and including using hand cuffs and/or other containment techniques.
• Responsible for the protection of life and property as it pertains to PMH designated sites.
• Works in conjunction with law enforcement or other agencies as necessary.
• Cooperates with all other staff to produce a harmonious working relationship throughout Prairie Mountain Health.
• Assumes custody of Mental Health clients as per policy or legislation. Provides safe and secure escort to all at risk persons between units within the health site for care purposes. Maintains and completes necessary documentation/reports required within the course of duty as it relates to this position.
• Provides safe and secure escort of at-risk persons within the campus in the support of client care needs. May include client monitoring in waiting, care treatment rooms, isolation rooms or within specific care units as required, based on the level of risk of violence assessed by the healthcare team.
• Responds to all emergency situations and supports the direction of the incident commander to assist in response or event management; or may as required act as the Site Incident Command until relieved in an emergency situation. Provides direct support for response to fire safety, evacuation or any other emergency codes as is required.
• Supports and provides training and orientation to security personnel as directed.
• Completes necessary notification to supervisor when identifies defective or broken, unsafe equipment or infrastructure while performing the duties of the protection officer. This may include damage to parking lot resources, patrol vehicles, signage, grounds, CCTV equipment failure, door failure or unsafe surfaces.
• Monitors and works with CCTV, Card Access or other related security systems and controls or support plans as required.
• Evicts non-authorized person in a professional and sensitive manner. Coordinating with clinical providers as necessary and contacts police should situations dictate.
• Provides effective communication to support client/visitor wayfinding, and actively supports the needs of clients or visitors within the health sites. Maintains accurate documentation and reporting of incidents and daily activities, including any necessary reports and form completion as identified in policy or required duties.
• Prepares or issues notices, summonses and information related to Provincial Offence notices under acts of legislation and municipal bi-laws
• Maintains licensure and certification or position designation as is required by the employer, and/or Manitoba Justice requirements. This may include updates to Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse and Adult Registry Checks, licensure, physical testing or certification in required ongoing education.
• Provides for interior and exterior grounds patrols and responses. Reports deficiencies or damages to property, signage, lighting, vehicles or equipment.
• As required, ensures visitor and staff parking infrastructure are maintained and operable as per operational need. Completes parking enforcement as per policy and municipal bi-laws.
• Other duties as assigned