Hospital Security Job Descriptions

Security guards are hired by hospitals to provide deterrence.

Security guards are hired by a number of different businesses to provide a little extra insurance that nothing untoward will happen. For example, power plants, retail outlets, steel mills and even hospitals typically have security on staff. Security guards who want to work at a hospital will have to meet certain qualifications.

Observation

Security in general is very reactive. In any security setting guards are being paid to stay ready and to keep their eyes open for trouble. In a hospital setting, security guards patrol the halls, walk outside the building and monitor security cameras to keep an eye on what's happening in the hospital.

Armed or Unarmed

Generally speaking, there are two varieties of private security; armed and unarmed. Depending on the preference of the hospital and the laws of the state it's in, the hospital may elect to hire either type of security as it desires. Guards who work unarmed can be 18 years old in many cases, but an armed guard will need to be at least 21 so that he can have a carry permit and a weapon.

Requirements

Security guards in a hospital setting will have to meet a variety of requirements set by the hospital or the contractor. Age (18 for unarmed, 21 for armed), education (high school diploma or GED in most cases), work history (some positions require previous hospital experience, others only job experience), ability to pass a drug test and a clean criminal record are all usually requirements for working in hospital security.

Hours

Hospital security, like the hospital itself, operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. This means that there will be a variety of shifts that might be expected of hospital security staff. Early mornings, overnights and afternoons are all potential time periods. This gives guards great flexibility as to when they work, and it helps those willing to work odd shifts pick up extra hours.

Pay

Private security has a lot of flexibility as to hourly pay. According to SnagAJob, as of 2010 the average security guard makes a little more than $21,000 per year. The hourly rate for unarmed security guards is between $8 per hour and $10 per hour. Armed security guards on the other hand make more, with a position offered by Yale Security beginning at $11.25 per hour.

References

• Career Builder: Yale Security Service Job Listing
• SnagAJob: Security Job Description