Health Safety Officer

About the role

The Health Safety Officer is responsible for managing the safe, therapeutic care of patients presenting with acute mental health disorders in a crisis services setting. This position provides frontline support to individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies, with an emphasis on de-escalation, patient safety, and collaborative care.

Responsibilities

• Provide immediate, person-centered care to individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies, including behavioral de-escalation, emotional support, and safety planning
• Perform crisis intervention techniques in accordance with facility protocols and approved training (e.g., CPI – Crisis Prevention Intervention)
• Observe and monitor patients continuously for changes in mental status, behavior, or safety risk, and communicate observations promptly to the clinical team
• Absorb and implement individualized treatment and safety plans under the direction of licensed clinical staff
• Completes appropriate documentation of various incidents
• Support patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) as needed during their crisis episode
• Maintain ongoing surveillance of the unit environment to ensure a safe, therapeutic, and structured milieu for all patients and staff
• Ensure all patients and visitors have been screened via magnetometer or wanding as appropriate
• Identify and address environmental safety hazards in accordance with facility safety protocols
• Aids staff with processing new admissions by assisting with safety search and inventory of belongings
• Performs physical restraints and participates in behavioral emergencies when necessary for patient or staff safety, following established policy, regulatory standards, and completed training requirements
• Conducts regular patient safety rounds and documents observations accurately and in a timely manner
• Enforces unit rules and expectations in a respectful, trauma-informed manner that supports de-escalation and recovery
• Participates as an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, contributing patient observations and behavioral data during team huddles and handoff communications
• Collaborates with nurses, therapists, case managers, and medical staff to support coordinated care delivery
• Communicates patient status changes, safety concerns, and incidents to supervising clinical staff immediately
• Attends mandatory team meetings, shift briefings, and required training sessions
• Accurately documents patient observations, behavioral incidents, restraint events, and care activities in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance with organizational standards and timeframe
• Completes all required forms and records related to safety, seclusion/restraint, and incident reporting

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED required
• Associate's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, or a related field preferred
• Certification as a Psychiatric Technician or Mental Health Associate preferred
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification required (or must be obtained within 90 days of hire)
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required prior to starting work
• Two years of prior experience within a behavioral health facility, corrections facility, healthcare facility, customer service field, or other relevant experience is required
• Experience performing de-escalation and crisis intervention preferred
• Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems preferred

Skills

• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to de-escalate agitated or aggressive individuals using evidence-based techniques
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Cultural competency and commitment to trauma-informed, person-centered care
• Effective time management and ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment

Physical Environment

• Work is performed primarily in a crisis receiving center facility
• Fast-paced, high-intensity environment serving individuals experiencing acute mental health and/or substance use crises
• Exposure to individuals in various states of distress, including those who may be agitated, aggressive, or experiencing severe psychiatric symptoms
• May require responding to crisis situations throughout the facility
• Primarily indoor work in climate-controlled settings
• Stand, walk, and remain physically active for extended periods throughout a shift
• Physical stamina and strength sufficient to safely manage patients during behavioral emergencies, including performance of physical restraint techniques per training
• Respond quickly to crisis situations throughout the unit
• Visual and auditory acuity necessary to monitor patient behavior and environmental safety
• May be required to lift or assist with moving patients or equipment
• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required

Schedule

• Schedule flexibility required to meet program needs
• Regular exposure to individuals experiencing mental health crises, trauma, and substance use emergencies
• Work may involve emotionally charged and high-stress situations requiring emotional regulation and self-care
• Requires ability to maintain professional composure in high-pressure circumstances
• Access to clinical supervision and peer support to process difficult situations
• Completion of crisis intervention, de-escalation, and physical intervention training required prior to independent patient contact
• Strict adherence to facility safety protocols and procedures
• Potential exposure to communicable diseases
• Regular interaction with law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other first responders

Benefits

The Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.