Crisis Prevention Officer (CPO)

Western State Hospital; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement with cash match

Paid time off, sick time, family/pers/

Health, vision, and dental insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Western State Hospital is seeking a full-time Crisis Prevention Officer to maintain safety and milieu management for residents and staff, provide therapeutic and physical interventions, and respond to emergencies while upholding a positive safety culture on each shift.

The role emphasizes de-escalation, professional patient interaction, and collaboration with clinical teams to maintain a secure, therapeutic environment at the Staunton campus.

Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving record and ability to obtain Virginia driver's license within 30 days of start date.
• Experience in law enforcement, corrections, psychology, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Responds in a professional and therapeutic manner to incidents and emergencies as trained.
• Conducts unit walk-throughs to maintain a safe and secure environment for patients and staff.
• Responds to emergencies (fire, disaster, duress) and assists as needed.
• Conducts searches on units as required.
• Escorts residents safely to destinations within the facility.
• Responds to all Code calls on forensic units.
• Completes documentation and submits to supervisor within required timeframe.
• Demonstrates dependability in attendance and punctuality.
• Demonstrates negotiation skills to de-escalate challenging patient behaviors.

Skills

Law enforcement experience

Corrections experience

Psychology background

Education

Associate degree in Criminal Justice

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Title: Crisis Prevention Officer (CPO)

State Role Title: Security Officer IV

Hiring Range: $47,767 to $55,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Location: Western State Hospital

103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are

Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley.

Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Position Overview

Western State Hospital is seeking a full time Crisis Prevention Officer (CPO) to maintain safety and milieu management of resident population and staff at Western State Hospital; maintain consistent and positive interaction with patients on the unit; ensure that unit safety is maintained on each unit on each shift and provide therapeutic and physical interventions when needed while also observing and engaging in activities with patients; respond to emergency codes on the units; and responsible for leading the safety culture and initiatives on the unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Responds in a professional and therapeutic manner to various incidents and emergency as trained
• Conducts walk-throughs as designated by Administration on the units to help provide a safe and secure environment and milieu for patients and staff
• Respond to the scene of any fire, disaster, duress alarm, or any other such emergency and assist as needed
• Conduct searches on the units as required
• Escort residents safely and securely to destinations within facility
• Respond to all Code calls on all forensic units
• Complete documentation as assigned and submit to the supervisor within the timeframe noted by supervisor
• Exhibit dependability in attendance, including promptness in reporting for duty
• Demonstrates good negotiation skills in de-escalating problematic patient behaviors

Benefits Include

• Retirement with cash match
• Paid time off, sick time, family/personal time, and community service time
• Health, vison, and dental insurance
• Life insurance

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving record and ability to obtain valid Virginia driver's license with 30 days of start date
• Experience in law enforcement, corrections, psychology, or related field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience

Additional Considerations

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate degree in Criminal Justice
• Bilingual
• Veteran or veteran spouse

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

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.