Public Safety Officer I - Armed (PSO I)

Advocate Health Care; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care is seeking a Public Safety Officer I - Armed at Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago's North Side. You will patrol, de-escalate tensions, and respond to emergencies while adhering to hospital policies.

A state-licensed armed officer with required certifications will protect patients, staff, and visitors across campus. The role requires a High School Diploma or GED, one year security/public safety experience, and ongoing training in weapon handling and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Must hold State of Illinois 40-hour armed course with semi-automatic pistol endorsement.
• Willingness to carry a department-authorized firearm on duty.
• Pass IL handgun qualification course with 70%+ on Firearms test.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
• Ability to de-escalate and manage difficult situations.
• Background check, drug screen, pre-placement screening completed.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration with hospital staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide security services with professionalism according to policies and training.
• Prepare patients, visitors and team members with information and directions.
• Conduct interior and exterior patrols; inspect hazards and safety measures.
• Respond to and investigate workplace violence and de-escalate when needed.
• Intervene physically in emergencies in line with training to prevent injuries.
• Investigate incidents on Advocate property and file timely reports.
• Coordinate with departments and units and monitor law-enforcement interactions.
• Maintain training standards in radio communications, de-escalation and CPR.
• Ensure safety and support during tense or high-stress situations.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

De-escalation

Situational awareness

Radio/telephone communication

Computer literacy

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Database entry

Job description

It’s More Than a Job, It’s a Calling!

Position: Public Safety Officer I - Armed

Location: Illinois Masonic Medical Center (IMMC); Chicago's North Side, near Wrigleyville Neighborhood

Hours

This is 4 days a week 2x12 and 2x8 hour shifts rotating schedule from 7pm-7:30am.

Major Responsibilities

• Provides security services with professionalism, fairness, and compassion in even challenging circumstances and in accordance with policies, procedures, and training.
• Prepares patients, visitors, and team members by providing information, directions, and physical help.
• Performs routine responsibilities during interior and exterior patrols to ensure safety and security, including inspections to identify vulnerabilities, hazards, and fire conditions, audits of interim life safety measures, patient valuables management, and thorough contraband searches.
• Prevents, responds to, and investigates workplace violence; serves as a primary resource for de‑escalation.
• Responds immediately to emergency and crisis situations; physically intervenes in accordance with training to situations that have a potential for injury.
• Investigates incidents that occur on Advocate Aurora property and completes timely and accurate reports.
• Performs liaison rounding duties to cultivate close partnerships with all departments and units.
• Coordinates, briefs, and monitors law‑enforcement interactions and prisoner patient guard duties to ensure policy compliance.
• Maintains current department training standards in radio communications, verbal de‑escalation, stabilization, CPR, application of clinical restraints, and conducted‑energy weapon (Taser).

License/Registration/Certification Required

• Security Officer Healthcare Certification (CHSO) issued by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) within two years of appointment.
• Valid driver’s license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
• Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) Card issued by the Illinois State Police or a concealed‑carry weapon (CCW) license issued by the Department of Justice.
• Must meet State of IL Department of Financial and Professional Regulation licensing requirements and obtain a Firearm Control Card (FCC) within 90 days of hire.
• Certified in Conducted Energy Weapon (Taser) use within 90 days of hire and periodically thereafter.

Education Required

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience Required

• Typically requires one year of experience in a security, public safety, or customer‑service area that includes experience responding to emergent situations and identifying and resolving issues that pose a potential risk to patients, visitors, staff, and/or property.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required

• Completion of State of Illinois 40‑hour armed course with semi‑automatic pistol endorsement.
• Willingness to carry a department‑authorized firearm while on duty; the firearm and level III holster must be purchased and maintained by the officer as outlined in the Public Safety Firearms Policy.
• Annual achievement of a passing score of 70% or greater on the State of IL Mandatory Annual Active Duty and Retired Officer Handgun Qualification Course of Fire, un‑assisted.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise mature judgment and sound reasoning while maintaining a courteous and tactful demeanor in dealings with employees, visitors, and patients, even if they are verbally aggressive.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly assess dangerous situations and take appropriate action.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy: ability to document work using Microsoft Word, Excel, web navigation, and database entry.
• Successful completion of background investigation, drug screening, pre‑placement physical and psychological screening, and periodic re‑evaluation.
• Ability to defend self and/or others in case of physical confrontations when de‑escalation attempts fail.
• Ability to communicate effectively via radio and telephone with clear diction and at both high and low decibels.
• Ability to interact appropriately with all team members, patients, and visitors, especially under difficult circumstances.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must sit, stand, walk, drive, and lift up to 35 lbs. occasionally; push/pull with 35 lbs. of force.
• Must possess hand strength, dexterity, and ability to safely operate a firearm, including loading/unloading and cleaning.
• Must have 20/20 vision in both eyes or correctable to 20/20 with lenses.
• May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, explosive, and radiation hazards; protective clothing may be required.
• Frequent exposure to aggressive behavior and emotionally charged situations.
• Must handle personal stress and possible violence.
• Must be physically fit to walk all areas of the facilities and grounds, restrain individuals when necessary, and assist nursing staff with patient lifts.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.