Public Safety Officer

Title: Public Safety Officer

State Role Title: 69113

Hiring Range: $41,687 - $57,528

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Catawba Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/catawba/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

A. Performance Management
(for employees who supervise others) Examples of Measures for Performance Management:
• Expectations are clear, well communicated, and relate to the goals and objectives of the department or unit;
• Staff receive frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate;
• Staff have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals;
• The requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met and evaluations are completed by established deadlines with proper documentation;
• Performance issues are addressed and documented as they occur.
• Safety issues are reviewed and communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absences.

B. Security Duties
Provides for safety & security through patrols and CCTV monitoring of patient units; ensures compliance with policies and laws; monitors and responds to patient behavior events, elopements, or other emergencies; calls in local police or emergency services for such issues; assists visitors, patients and staff, as needed; complies with and assists Safety Officer ensure compliance with VOSH, NFPA, EPA, CMS and Joint Commission standards & regulations. May be assigned to cover additional shifts as needed.  Documents 1 patrol (exterior) on evening shift and 2 patrols exterior) on night shift for each such shift worked by the end of the shift, per policy.
 Conducts regular patrols of Patient Units and documents on patrol log.
 Documents 100% of fires, intruders, elopements, malfunctioning equipment/utilities or other emergencies discovered during shift, per policy.
 Documents 100% of all policy, legal or regulatory issues of non-compliance discovered during shift patrols, including parking violations, per policy.

C. Emergency Responder
Responds to all fire or other emergencies providing first response to assess and report the severity of the situation; stop or minimize the impact of the emergency; direct evacuation as needed; and assist local police or emergency services responding to the situation. Conducts monthly inspections of fire extinguishers and other emergency equipment and systems, as necessary. Depending on the level of training, may be required to initiate emergency medical or firefighting skills in response to emergencies.
 Correctly responds to 100% of fire and/or other emergency alarms and drills in a timely manner and documents response on shift reports.
 Correctly implements emergency response procedures, skills and training, including presentation of emergency equipment required for such incidents.
 Completes in a timely and effective manner monthly fire extinguisher inspections, as assigned.

D. Patient Safety
Provides for patient safety through preventing patient elopements or patients wandering away and intercepting contraband items by inspecting patient belongings and packages brought for patients. Also, identifies and reports risks and hazards in buildings or on grounds that could threaten patient safety or security. Maybe called on to assist Nursing and other staff to restrain aggressive patients or to escort out unruly visitors.  Responds in a timely and effective manner to prevent patient elopements and implement response procedures per policy, documenting the same.
 Responds in a timely and effective manner when called to assist restraint of aggressive patients or removal of unruly visitors, documenting the same.
 Inspects all patient belongings for newly admitted patients and other packages brought in by visitors for patients. Takes pictures of newly admitted patients.

E. Associated Duties
Provides coverage for Switchboard Operators covering the phone system; assisting with mail pick-up and delivery, postage and handling, ensuring emergency communications of alarms and in other situations; and greeting and identifying all visitors, and facilitating their visit with patients and/or staff . Provides non-emergency patient transportation. Assists Building & Grounds with minor corrective maintenance issues. Provides courier services for "stat" labs, X-rays or other services/materials as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.  Effectively completes duties as a Switchboard Operator,