Security Officer in East Grinstead

Role Purpose

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a professional, dependable, and proactive Security Officer to join its Security Services team.

The successful candidate will play a vital role in maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for patients, staff, visitors, contractors, and Trust assets across the hospital estate.

This role requires a highly motivated security professional who can work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

The post holder will be responsible for protecting people, property, and infrastructure while ensuring compliance with Trust policies, NHS standards, and security industry best practice.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent situational awareness, strong decision-making capabilities, exceptional timekeeping, and the ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a highly visible and professional security presence throughout the hospital estate.
• Manage and monitor access control systems, ensuring only authorised individuals gain entry to restricted areas.
• Conduct regular internal and external patrols of wards, departments, offices, car parks, plant rooms, and perimeter areas.
• Monitor, operate, and review CCTV systems in accordance with Trust policies, legal requirements, and security best practice.
• Maintain vigilance through proactive CCTV monitoring to identify suspicious behaviour, security breaches, health and safety concerns, or incidents requiring intervention.
• Respond promptly and effectively to security incidents, emergencies, requests for assistance, and alarm activations.
• Assist with emergency procedures, including fire alarm activations, evacuations, lockdowns, and major incident responses.
• Respond to and investigate intruder alarm activations and suspicious activity.
• Support the protection of patients, visitors, staff, contractors, and Trust property.
• Complete accurate incident reports, occurrence logs, and shift handover documentation.
• Consult professionally with hospital staff, patients, visitors, contractors, emergency services, and external agencies.
• Undertake locking, unlocking, and key management duties in accordance with Trust procedures.
• Preserve evidence, provide factual reports, and witness statements where required.
• Support investigations into incidents, breaches, and security concerns.
• Ensure compliance with all Queen Victoria Hospital policies, procedures, and NHS security standards.
• Deliver a high level of customer service while maintaining a professional and firm approach to security matters.
• Work confidently on own initiative and make informed decisions when dealing with incidents or emergencies.

Essential Requirements

Qualifications and Licensing

• Valid SIA Door Supervisor Licence.
• Ability to obtain and maintain BS7858 Security Screening Clearance.
• Successful completion of an Enhanced DBS Check.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Experience

• Minimum of two years' experience within the security industry.
• Experience in access control and visitor management.
• Experience conducting security patrols and responding to incidents.
• Experience operating, monitoring, and reviewing CCTV systems.
• Experience monitoring live CCTV footage to identify suspicious activity and security breaches.
• Experience using electronic security systems, including CCTV, access control, and alarm management systems.
• Experience completing detailed incident reports and maintaining accurate records.
• Experience working independently and making sound decisions under pressure.
• Knowledge and Skills
• Strong understanding of SIA regulations and security industry best practice.
• Excellent timekeeping and attendance record.
• Knowledge of fire safety procedures and emergency response protocols.
• Knowledge of intruder alarm response procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Good IT literacy and experience using electronic reporting systems.
• Ability to work in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and decisive in challenging situations.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, confidentiality, and professional boundaries within a healthcare environment.

Desirable Requirements

• SIA CCTV (Public Space Surveillance) Licence (desirable but not essential).
• Previous experience within an NHS, healthcare, hospital, or public sector environment.
• First Aid at Work qualification.
• Conflict Management and Physical Intervention training.
• Knowledge of healthcare security standards and patient safety requirements.
• Experience using electronic incident reporting and security management systems.
• Lone Working Expectations

Security Officers will be expected to work independently for extended periods, particularly during evenings, nights, weekends, and bank holidays.

The successful candidate must be comfortable undertaking lone working duties while maintaining effective communication with colleagues, management, and emergency services where necessary.

Lone working responsibilities include

• Conducting patrols across the hospital estate independently.
• Responding to incidents, alarms, and emergencies.
• Managing access control and security systems.
• Undertaking dynamic risk assessments and making informed decisions.
• Completing incident documentation and reports.
• Escalating concerns in accordance with Trust procedures.
• Following lone working protocols and always maintaining personal safety.

The ability to demonstrate initiative, resilience, sound judgement, and professionalism while working without direct supervision is essential.

Key Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate

• Professionalism, integrity, and reliability.
• Excellent punctuality and attendance.
• Strong observation and situational awareness skills.
• High levels of vigilance and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• A calm and measured approach under pressure.
• Adaptability and flexibility within a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Working Arrangements
• The role operates on a flexible shift pattern and requires availability to work:
• Day shifts.
• Night shifts.
• Weekends.
• Bank holidays.
• Overtime where operationally required.

The post holder will be expected to maintain operational effectiveness across all shifts and routinely undertake duties without direct supervision.

Salary and Benefits

• Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Full uniform and PPE provided.
• Paid training and professional development opportunities.
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