Institutional Safety Officer (ISO)

Position Overview

The Healthcare Institutional Safety Officers (ISO) are hospital employees and licensed security guards who are specifically trained to respond, protect and enforce requirements to achieve safe patient care and healthcare work environments, particularly those facilities which require a high frequency of response to behaviours in acute and forensic mental health units. A healthcare ISO is responsible for enforcing the provision of bylaws and enforcing the provision of additional appointed statutes as outlined in the Police Services Act under the Institutional Safety Officer program. Working cooperatively with healthcare professionals, law enforcement and other stakeholders, they provide a highly skilled collaborative enforcement and patient care model. The ISO is responsible for enforcement, prevention, intervention, and education of applicable legislation within the healthcare facility.  ISOs daily encounter and respond to high-risk situations in sites with documented and high frequency violent behaviours (usually from high volume emergency departments and high acuity mental health units). Healthcare ISOs are also trained to have the Qualified Persons designation under the Mental Health Act and will be able to maintain safe custody of intoxicated persons under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act.

Training/Designation:
Healthcare ISOs will receive training to the provincially adopted and Manitoba Justice approved training program. Upon initial demonstrated and ongoing competence, they will be designated by the SDO as an ISO under the Police Services Act, as well as a Qualified Person under the Mental Health Act. Ongoing re-training will be provided by the SDO, and with ongoing demonstrated competence they will maintain their designations.

Personnel must: 

• Successfully complete the ISO Training Program and maintain their ability with annual retraining.
• Be designated as an ISO (Peace Officer status as per Manitoba Police Services Act – Amendment).
• Successfully complete intermediate weapons training and ongoing certification as authorized by Manitoba Justice and their employer organization. 
• Successfully pass the Physical Abilities test and undergo regular re-testing.

The training and designation program will be comprised of a testing process, which includes but is not limited to: written test, physical test, job performance and security screening.

Experience

• Prior security, law enforcement, military or related experience required.
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience as a Qualified Person in a healthcare setting required.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Successfully complete the Healthcare Institutional Safety Officer training, and demonstrate competency in order to be designated as per the Police Services Act, Institutional Safety Officer program. Must also be able to demonstrate ongoing competency and capacity in order to maintain that designation as per the program requirements.
• Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent.

SPECIAL TRAINING:

• Successfully complete Qualified Persons training and demonstrate competency in order to be designated as per the Mental Health Act.  Must also be able to demonstrate ongoing competency and capacity in order to maintain that designation as per the program requirements.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Possess and maintain a valid Manitoba Security Guard License.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license.

Qualifications and Skills

• Self-motivated including the ability to take due care and responsibility while working alone and unsupervised.
• Must possess and demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with a focus on customer service and public relations.
• Ability to remain professional in elevated situations, and make sound decisions under stressful conditions.
• Demonstrated understanding and competencies regarding Use of Force, Use of Force Continuum and all applicable legislation (i.e. Criminal Code of Canada, Trespass Act) as it relates to the ability to restrain uncooperative, hostile or violent persons.
• Working knowledge of issues facing hard to serve populations, including but not limited to: homelessness, vulnerable persons, addictions, crime prevention, and public safety.
• Competence in an Indigenous language and/or knowledge/lived experience in Indigenous customs, traditions, and values is an asset.
• Will be required to complete cultural safety training required by the employer.
• Knowledge of healthcare and community resources in order to support clients.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professionalism and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Must successfully complete Job Suitability Assessment (psych evaluation).
• Clear Criminal Record, Child Abuse Registry, Vulnerable Sector Checks – maintained regularly throughout the course of employment.

Physical Requirements

• Minimum physical requirements aligned with requirements established for safe response to resistance training requirements and national standards. Regular re-testing will occur.
• Minimum vision and hearing requirements aligned with requirements established for safe response to resistance training requirements and national standards. Regular re-testing will occur.

Qualifications will include minimum physical ability, vision standard, hearing standard and testing process. These tests will be a pre-requisite part of the ISO training program. Regular testing throughout employment will also be a requirement. These requirements will align with national standards aligned with Manitoba Justice and employer requirements.