Title: safety and security technician
State Role Title: 49053
Hiring Range: $40,063 - $55,287 ; Salary will commensurate with experience
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop
Location: Central State Hospital
Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property, with a scheduled completion date of 2027.
CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.
Central State Hospital is recruiting for Safety & Security Technicians to maintain security, custody, and oversight over the patient population in the Maximum-Security Unit. To provide therapeutic and physical interventions when needed. Responsible to maintain controlled access both inside and outside the Maximum- Security Forensic Unit.
Job Duties Include:
Security Operations
• Ensures that only authorized persons enter and exit your areas of control.
• Operates electrically controlled doors to allow access into and out of secure areas.
• Screen all staff and visitors before entering the unit.
• Properly check all bags, purses, brief cases, etc. that all persons bring into the unit.
• Supervise and observe patients at assigned posts.
• Properly acknowledge intercoms to ensure validity of persons entering and exiting areas of control.
• Monitors all cameras inside the control center to ensure patient, staff and visitor safety.
• Follow key control policy.
• Properly monitor and acknowledge fire alarm panel
• Ensure that all vehicles are properly scanned and searched prior to allowing access into the gates.
• Ensure that perimeter gates are secured at all times.
• Transport and escort patients safely and securely to destinations both on and off campus.
• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times while transporting patients.
• Ensure that patients are properly restrained while out of the unit.
• Maintain proper coverage with patients while out of the unit.
• Report any and all problems immediately to the shift supervisor.
• Respond in a professional manner to various incidents and emergencies.
• Assist with the implementation of seclusion and restraints as directed by the charge nurse.
• Properly apply Hospital and Departmental approved restraint devices.
• Properly assist with ward searches to ensure that the environment is safe for all patients, staff and visitors.
Therapeutic Interactions
• Communicate with patients, staff and visitors in a positive manner.
• Build rapports and therapeutic relationships with patients
• Provide monitoring and assistance to activities in order to maintain a safe therapeutic environment
• Engage in activities with patients in order to build rapports and professional relationships
• Use safety plans to deescalate situations without the use of physical intervention
• Use communication skills to avoid the use of restrictive measures
• Promote positive behavior by serving as a role model.
• Make rounds throughout the unit to ensure a safe environment
• Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor at all times when interacting with patients.
• Respond in a professional manner to various incidents and emergencies and assist as directed by the on duty charge person.
• Make rounds and monitor patient activities.
• Properly monitor special staffing assignments
Documentation
• . Ensures documentation is neat and legible.
• Complete incident reports and submit to the supervisor in a timely manner.
• Complete documentation as assigned and submit to the supervisor. This includes but is not limited to control center logs, receipts, visitation records, temperature check forms, ward search forms and roving sheets
Minimum Qualifications
- Valid Virginia Driver’s License
- Previous Security Experience
- Ability to become DCJS certified
KSA's required to perform the job successfully:
Requires basic knowledge of state laws, Driving skills.
Requires the ability to: Communicate both orally and in writing, Use good judgment, Lift heavy objects, bend at waist and knees, walk or stand a minimum of 90% of the time on the shift, use upper extremities (hands) to hold, grasp and manipulate work materials, administer CPR, to work overtime hours. Ability to perform and adapt to new software and hardware technology to perform the duties of this role including but not limited to computers and scanners
Additional Considerations
- Previous experience in safety & security within a mental health setting
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Central State Hospital only accepts online applications via RMS. Resumes and other documents may accompany the application but will not serve as a substitute for an application. Faxed, e-mailed or mailed applications will not be accepted. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. This posting will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days.
An extensive criminal history background investigation, not limited to employment references, drug testing and E-Verify will be conducted.
Central State Hospital offers a comprehensive benefit package to include your choice of four health insurance plans, paid life insurance and retirement plans, 12 paid holidays, annual and sick leave.
Applicants must list all relevant experience that you wish to be considered for this position. Applicants will be provided confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. A fingerprint-based criminal history check and reference checks are required for the selected candidate for this position. Under Virginia Code §37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific “barrier” crimes or persons who may be the subject of pending “barrier” charges.
DBHDS facilities are no longer required to ensure that all staff members are vaccinated against COVID-19. However, facilities encourage and educate staff on the benefits, and continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination programs to staff, residents/clients. Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources.
Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS, to get their Certificate of Disability. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at (804) 524-7111 for assistance.
DBHDS is an equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability. Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY
Contact Information
Name: Human Resource Department
Phone: 804-524-7111
Email: CSHRecruitment@dbhds.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.