Director Safety & Security

Director Safety & Security

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Safety and Security is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and continuous improvement of the hospital’s security, safety, and emergency response functions. This position ensures compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, DPH, DMH, HIPAA, and all other applicable regulatory requirements. The Director provides direction for staff training in de-escalation, safe use of restraints, healthcare defense tactics, and emergency preparedness, while developing policies, procedures, and operational standards that promote a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, and staff. The role oversees budgeting, personnel development, system integration, and risk assessment activities to ensure that safety and security operations are effective, sustainable, and aligned with Berkshire Medical Center’s (BMC) mission and strategic goals.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Experience :

Two years of experience as a manager or director and / or management plan owner in the Environment of Care setting.

Demonstrated experience in hospital environments, academic medical centers, behavioral health, public safety departments or similar settings.

Experience managing 24 / 7 operations, including scheduling, training, and performance evaluations

Utilization of external benchmarks for setting and achieving performance standards.

Expertise in crisis management, de-escalation techniques, and conflict mediation.

Education :

High School Diploma required

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Healthcare Management, Security Studies preferred

Licensure & Certifications :

DRIVER - Drivers license

AHSS Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) preferred

FEMA ICS (100, 200, 700, 800) preferred

ICS and HICS certification CHPA, FEMA ICS courses, MOAB / AVADE preferred

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills—effective interaction with executive leadership, frontline staff, patients, visitors.

Strong ability to lead teams, develop staff, resolve conflicts, and motivate personnel.

Advanced skill in managing multiple priorities and large-scale operations simultaneously.

Effective problem-solving and critical decision-making, especially under emergency / high-risk scenarios.

Competence with security systems (CCTV, access control, alarms, incident management software).

Understanding of healthcare regulations relevant to safety, security, and emergency preparedness : Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, NFPA, HICS, ICS.

Familiarity with Incident Command System (ICS) and Hospital Incident Command System (HICS).

Working knowledge and awareness of the joint commission process.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and maintains security and safety policies, post orders, procedures, and documentation to ensure compliance with Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies.
• Ensures all staff receive training in de-escalation, use of restraints and alternatives, healthcare defense tactics, emergency response, and other safety / security competencies; maintains accountability for annual competency assessments.
• Conducts security risk assessments, rounds, incident reviews, and data-driven performance evaluations; implements corrective action plans and strategies to mitigate identified risks.
• Directs departmental operations including scheduling, personnel development, investigations, rounding documentation, and reporting to ensure consistent delivery of safe and effective services.
• Leads and manages investigations of criminal and non-criminal incidents, coordinates with law enforcement, administration, human resources, legal, and risk management as appropriate.
• Analyzes sentinel events and security-related errors, develops corrective strategies, and leads process improvements to reduce recurrence.
• Oversees development of emergency procedures in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external agencies, ensuring alignment with hospital emergency management.
• Manages integrated security systems including access control, surveillance, infant / child protection, elopement prevention, and visitor management; collaborates with Facilities, IT / Digital, and vendors on design, installation, and maintenance.
• Develops and administers departmental budgets; monitors financial performance, identifies trends, and implements cost-saving strategies while maintaining operational effectiveness.
• Coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff performance; fosters an environment of engagement, accountability, and employee satisfaction; ensures corrective actions are applied fairly and consistently.
• Conducts and documents staff meetings to communicate changes in policy / procedure, review department performance, and encourage open dialogue on opportunities for improvement.
• Builds collaborative relationships with Nursing, Behavioral Health, ED, Facilities / Construction, Patient Experience, Risk / Legal, HR, Emergency Management, and external law enforcement to support safe hospital operations.
• Aligns departmental vision and strategy with organizational goals, IAHSS Security Program elements, and ASIS risk management standards.
• Serves as the hospital’s Safety Officer with accountability for implementing and maintaining the Joint Commission Environment of Care (EOC) and Emergency Management (EM) standards.
• Lead and coordinate hospital emergency management functions, including development, implementation, and evaluation of Emergency Operations Plans (EOP), Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), and Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVA) to ensure regulatory compliance (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS) and readiness for all-hazards incidents.
• Oversee preparedness, response, and recovery activities by managing Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, facilitating HSEEP-based exercises and trainings, and integrating security operations with hospital leadership, public safety partners, and community agencies to safeguard patients, staff, and visitors during emergencies.
• Coordinates and evaluates hospital-wide emergency drills, fire drills and exercises (tabletop, functional, and full-scale) in compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, and state requirements; ensures after-action reports and improvement plans are completed and tracked.
• Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of life safety, fire safety, hazardous materials / waste, medical equipment, and utility management programs; collaborates with the Facilities and Environment of Care Committee.
• Provides leadership during emergency incidents, serving as a member of the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), and ensures staff are trained and drilled in their emergency response roles.
• Maintains effective liaison relationships with local, regional, and state emergency management, fire, police, EMS, and public health agencies.
• Oversees regulatory survey readiness for security, life safety, and emergency management standards; prepares documentation, manages tracers, and supports compliance audits.
• Ensures that staff, patients, and visitors are protected during emergency situations (e.g., severe weather, mass casualty, utility failure, active threat).
• Maintain a safe Environment of Care. Act as BMC’s designee under the Joint Commission standard EC.01.01.01 EP1. Perform risk reduction activities.
• Ensure the environment of care activities are effectively managed. Chair the Environment of Care Committee. Ensure the Environment of Care Management Plans are current, identify pertinent risks, are designed to mitigate those risks, track and review data to ensure effectiveness and are revised as necessary

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