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Security Officer

SSM Health · WI · Full time

Posted Sep 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you calmed down someone who was very upset.

What they are checking: Whether they have real de-escalation skills and can stay calm when someone else is not.

This is a night shift, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., with every other weekend. What do you do to stay alert on your rounds through the night?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay focused and thorough on overnight patrols when nothing seems to be happening.

This role acts as a role model for junior officers. Tell me about a time you helped train or guide someone newer than you.

What they are checking: Whether they can lead by example and teach good habits to less experienced officers.

The hiring process includes a psychiatric evaluation and requires a valid driver's license. Is there anything that would get in the way of that?

What they are checking: Whether they can meet the stated hiring requirements without surprises later in the process.

What would you do

A visitor in the emergency department is yelling at staff and getting closer to a nurse. Walk me through what you do.

What they are checking: Whether they lead with de-escalation and positioning rather than force, which is how hospital security works.

How is hospital security different from security at a store, office or event?

What they are checking: Whether they understand they're protecting sick, vulnerable people and must work alongside clinical staff.

While doing an exterior patrol, you find a door propped open that should be locked. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they secure the area, check for intrusion and report it rather than just closing the door.

A patient on a behavioral hold tries to leave the unit. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they know to work with clinical staff and use the least force needed to keep the patient safe.

You'll be a first responder for urgent facility matters, like a fire alarm or a missing child. How do you handle an emergency when you're the first one there?

What they are checking: Whether they know to follow hospital emergency codes and take charge until help arrives.

About the work

How do you write an incident report, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear, factual reports that hold up if the event is reviewed later.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling WI-SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Join a team where your work matters—every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM Health, you'll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact. Security Officers help maintain a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, and caregivers by monitoring facilities, responding to emergencies, and assisting with de-escalation situations. Their presence is essential to protecting people, preventing disruptions, and supporting a safe healthcare experience for everyone. Candidates for this role must have a valid Driver's License and be willing to complete a psychiatric evaluation as part of the hiring process. Department: Security Schedule: full-time 40 hours per week | night shift (11:00 pm - 7:00 am) with every other weekend rotation Apply today. SSM Health – We bring out the incredible in you, everyday. Job Summary: Provides a reasonably safe and secure environment by providing security services for the staff, patients and premises as well as be first responders to urgent facility matters. Acts as a role model and guide to junior officers. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Protects property and staff by conducting interior and exterior rounds, observing for safety and security issues, theft, and monitoring of parking lots. • Promotes visitor and employee safety while they are on the organization's property by providing door checks, detecting lighting deficiencies, confirming proper operation of elevators, assisting with disruptive individuals, patient restraints and provides escorts to both staff and clients when requested. • Responds to overhead pages or requests for assistance, including escorting emergency personnel through the building, as well as provide post-mortem services. • Provides professional customer service when dealing with complex and dynamic situations when approached by staff or clients and utilizes a proactive approach to identifying safety and security hazards by communicating with clinical staff. • Observes and reports any security concerns/assessments. Completes incident reports and shift logs and forwards to appropriate individuals. • Provides maintenance assistance through property conservation and campus safety approaches such as: alarm testing, check life safety equipment, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), oxygen tanks, fire extinguishers, access control, badging, etc., door integrity checks etc. • Creates and issues ID badges. • Reviews and investigates incidents utilizing the video management system. • Conducts regular fire alarm, elopement, infant abduction, and panic alarm testing. • May be responsible for field training. • May operate motor vehicle to patrol. • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. • Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION • High School diploma/GED or 10 years of work experience EXPERIENCE • Two years' experience ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS • Following extension of a conditional offer of employment, applicant must successfully complete a psychological assessment to confirm suitability for the rigors of providing security services as set forth in this job description. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Constant use of hearing to receive oral communication and hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. • Constant use of vision for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more). • Constant lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs. • Frequent use of speech to share information through oral communication. • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. • Frequent standing, twisting and walking. • Frequent use of vision to judge distances and spatial relationships and to identify and distinguish colors. • Occasional bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, sitting, squatting, reaching, gripping and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing over 50 lbs. • Occasional keyboard use/data entry. • Occasional use of smell to detect/recognize odors. • Rare crawling, running and lifting/moving patients. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois • Driving Record - Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) • And • Driver License - Issued in the United States • And • Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID) - Illinois State Police • And • Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) • Or • Active Law Enforcement Officer - Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board (ILETSB) State of Work Location: Missouri & County of Work Location: All Except St. Charles County • Driving Record - Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) • And • Driver License - Issued in the United States State of Work Location: Missouri & County of Work Location: St. Charles County • Driving Record - Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) • And • Driver License - Issued in the United States • And • Security Officer License - St. Charles County • Or • Security Officer License - St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department State of Work Location: Oklahoma, Wisconsin • Driving Record - Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) • And • Driver License - Issued in the United States Work Shift: Night Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 9251000007 SEC - St Mary's Madison \ SP ED Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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