Security Operative

University Hospitals Dorset; Christchurch; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset is seeking Security Operatives to support three hospital sites with 24-hour security coverage. You will join a dedicated security team protecting Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch campuses, ensuring a safe patient and staff environment.

You will engage with Trust teams, perform regular patrols, assist patients and visitors, and respond to incidents with professionalism. Basic literacy/numeracy and SIA licensing are required, with ongoing training provided.

Qualifications

• Basic literacy and numeracy required.
• CSE English and Maths Level 4 or equivalent.
• Awareness of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.
• Ability to meet SIA licence requirements.

Responsibilities

• Regular Patrols: perform routine patrols of Trust grounds, buildings, and car parks to deter crime and maintain safety.
• Reports: write and prepare statements.
• Emergency Response: apply de-escalation techniques where necessary and use restraint as a last resort.
• CCTV Monitoring: oversee CCTV operations and adhere to procedures.

Skills

Security experience

Radio communications

Phonetic alphabet

CCTV knowledge

Education

CSE English & Maths

Basic literacy & numeracy

Job description

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women’s Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

Exciting Career Opportunity: Join Our New Security Team!

We’re thrilled to announce new openings for Security Operatives to join our newly established Security Team at the University Hospitals Dorset Trust. In this role, you'll be an integral part of a dedicated team providing essential 24-hour security services across all three of our hospital sites:

• Royal Bournemouth Hospital
• Poole Hospital
• Christchurch (Macmillan Unit

Interview: Date: 23rd October 2026

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

Your Role:

• Collaborative Security: Work closely with Trust teams to prevent and reduce criminal activity. Respond effectively to acts of violence and aggression as needed.
• Comprehensive Patrols: Conduct thorough and efficient 24/7 patrols of both internal and external areas of our hospital sites.
• Supportive Presence: Offer assistance and advice to patients, visitors, and staff, ensuring their safety and enhancing their experience.
• Enhanced Patient Care: Contribute to excellent patient care by maintaining a secure and supportive environment.

Working for our organisation

What We Offer:

• Full-Time Position: This role requires flexibility to work on a rotating schedule, including weekends and Bank Holidays, with shifts covering 24 hours a day. Flexibility to cover for colleagues during leave or sickness is essential.
• Professional Development: Engage in ongoing training to stay updated with evolving legislation and best practices.
• Diverse Interaction: Use your strong communication and customer care skills to interact with a wide range of people from various backgrounds.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Regular Patrols: Perform routine patrols of Trust grounds, buildings, and car parks, acting as a visible deterrent to criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.
• Reports: writing and preparing statements.
• Emergency Response: Apply PMVA de-escalation techniques when necessary, including physical restraint as a last resort.
• CCTV Monitoring: Oversee CCTV operations, ensuring adherence to the Code of Practice and Procedures Manual.
• Incident Assistance: Support incident investigations as directed by the Trust Security Lead.
• Effective Communication: Utilise two-way radios, the bleep system, telephones, and intercoms for efficient communication.
• Additional Duties: Assist with other departmental tasks, such as patient and deceased transfers, in support of the Portering function.

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women’s, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Person specification

Qualifications

• good general standard of education with basic literacy and numeracy skills
• CSE English and Maths level 4 or equivalent
• Awareness of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme
• Ability to meet SIA licence requirements

Experience

• Experience in a security role
• Experience of using radio communications and a knowledge of the phonetic alphabet.
• Knowledge of working with CCTV systems and related legislation.

Knowledge

• Working without direct supervision.
• Employing tact and diplomacy
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to use a computer for basic tasks using standard windows operating system.

Personal Skills

• Reliable/trustworthy
• Enthusiastic/motivated
• Professional attitude/presentable appearance
• Capable of undertaking strenuous duties
• Exposure to sensitive situations

Please note:

Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.

This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.