Berkshire Health Systems, Inc
Director Safety & Security
Berkshire Health Systems, Inc, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, us, 01201
Position Overview
The Director of Safety and Security leads strategic leadership, management, and continuous improvement of the hospital’s security, safety, and emergency response functions at Berkshire Medical Center (BMC). The role ensures compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, DPH, DMH, HIPAA, and other regulatory requirements. The Director provides direction for staff training, develops policies, manages budgeting and risk assessment activities, and aligns operations with BMC’s mission and goals.
Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and maintain security and safety policies, post orders, procedures, and documentation to ensure compliance with Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies.
Ensure all staff receive training in de‑escalation, use of restraints and alternatives, healthcare defense tactics, emergency response, and other safety/security competencies; maintain accountability for annual competency assessments.
Conduct security risk assessments, rounds, incident reviews, and data‑driven performance evaluations; implement corrective action plans and strategies to mitigate identified risks.
Direct departmental operations including scheduling, personnel development, investigations, rounding documentation, and reporting to ensure consistent delivery of safe and effective services.
Lead and manage investigations of criminal and non‑criminal incidents, coordinate with law enforcement, administration, human resources, legal, and risk management as appropriate.
Analyze sentinel events and security‑related errors, develop corrective strategies, and lead process improvements to reduce recurrence.
Oversee development of emergency procedures in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external agencies, ensuring alignment with hospital emergency management.
Manage integrated security systems including access control, surveillance, infant/child protection, elopement prevention, and visitor management; collaborate with Facilities, IT/Digital, and vendors on design, installation, and maintenance.
Develop and administer departmental budgets; monitor financial performance, identify trends, and implement cost‑saving strategies while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff performance; foster an environment of engagement, accountability, and employee satisfaction; ensure corrective actions are applied fairly and consistently.
Conduct and document staff meetings to communicate changes in policy/procedure, review department performance, and encourage open dialogue on opportunities for improvement.
Build collaborative relationships with Nursing, Behavioral Health, ED, Facilities/Construction, Patient Experience, Risk/Legal, HR, Emergency Management, and external law enforcement to support safe hospital operations.
Align departmental vision and strategy with organizational goals, IAHSS Security Program elements, and ASIS risk management standards.
Serve as the hospital’s Safety Officer with accountability for implementing and maintaining the Joint Commission Environment of Care (EOC) and Emergency Management (EM) standards.
Lead and coordinate hospital emergency management functions, including development, implementation, and evaluation of Emergency Operations Plans (EOP), Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), and Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVA).
Oversee preparedness, response, and recovery activities by managing Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, facilitating HSEEP‑based exercises and trainings, and integrating security operations with hospital leadership, public safety partners, and community agencies to safeguard patients, staff, and visitors during emergencies.
Coordinate and evaluate hospital‑wide emergency drills, fire drills and exercises in compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, and state requirements; ensure after‑action reports and improvement plans are completed and tracked.
Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of life safety, fire safety, hazardous materials/waste, medical equipment, and utility management programs; collaborate with the Facilities and Environment of Care Committee.
Provide leadership during emergency incidents, serving as a member of the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), and ensure staff are trained and drilled in their emergency response roles.
Maintain effective liaison relationships with local, regional, and state emergency management, fire, police, EMS, and public health agencies.
Oversee regulatory survey readiness for security, life safety, and emergency management standards; prepare documentation, manage tracers, and support compliance audits.
Ensure that staff, patients, and visitors are protected during emergency situations (e.g., severe weather, mass casualty, utility failure, active threat).
Qualifications
Two years of experience as a manager or director and/or management plan owner in the Environment of Care setting.
Demonstrated experience in hospital environments, academic medical centers, behavioral health, public safety departments or similar settings.
Experience managing 24/7 operations, including scheduling, training, and performance evaluations.
Utilization of external benchmarks for setting and achieving performance standards.
Expertise in crisis management, de‑escalation techniques, and conflict mediation.
High School Diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Healthcare Management, Security Studies preferred.
Licensure & Certifications: Driver’s license; FEMA IC (100, 200, 700, 800) preferred; IC and HICS certification, CHPA, FEMA IC courses, MOAB/AVADE preferred.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills—effective interaction with executive leadership, frontline staff, patients, and visitors.
Strong ability to lead teams, develop staff, resolve conflicts, and motivate personnel.
Advanced skill in managing multiple priorities and large‑scale operations simultaneously.
Effective problem‑solving and critical decision‑making, especially under emergency/high‑risk scenarios.
Competence with security systems (CCTV, access control, alarms, incident management software).
Understanding of healthcare regulations relevant to safety, security, and emergency preparedness: Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, NFPA, HICS, IC.
Familiarity with Incident Command System (ICS) and Hospital Incident Command System (HICS).
Working knowledge and awareness of the Joint Commission process.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Other, Information Technology, and Management
Industries Hospitals and Health Care
About Berkshire Health Systems Berkshire Health Systems is a leading health system dedicated to improving patient outcomes and delivering high‑quality care across its hospitals and health services. Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Berkshire Health Systems by 2×.
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Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and maintain security and safety policies, post orders, procedures, and documentation to ensure compliance with Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies.
Ensure all staff receive training in de‑escalation, use of restraints and alternatives, healthcare defense tactics, emergency response, and other safety/security competencies; maintain accountability for annual competency assessments.
Conduct security risk assessments, rounds, incident reviews, and data‑driven performance evaluations; implement corrective action plans and strategies to mitigate identified risks.
Direct departmental operations including scheduling, personnel development, investigations, rounding documentation, and reporting to ensure consistent delivery of safe and effective services.
Lead and manage investigations of criminal and non‑criminal incidents, coordinate with law enforcement, administration, human resources, legal, and risk management as appropriate.
Analyze sentinel events and security‑related errors, develop corrective strategies, and lead process improvements to reduce recurrence.
Oversee development of emergency procedures in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external agencies, ensuring alignment with hospital emergency management.
Manage integrated security systems including access control, surveillance, infant/child protection, elopement prevention, and visitor management; collaborate with Facilities, IT/Digital, and vendors on design, installation, and maintenance.
Develop and administer departmental budgets; monitor financial performance, identify trends, and implement cost‑saving strategies while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff performance; foster an environment of engagement, accountability, and employee satisfaction; ensure corrective actions are applied fairly and consistently.
Conduct and document staff meetings to communicate changes in policy/procedure, review department performance, and encourage open dialogue on opportunities for improvement.
Build collaborative relationships with Nursing, Behavioral Health, ED, Facilities/Construction, Patient Experience, Risk/Legal, HR, Emergency Management, and external law enforcement to support safe hospital operations.
Align departmental vision and strategy with organizational goals, IAHSS Security Program elements, and ASIS risk management standards.
Serve as the hospital’s Safety Officer with accountability for implementing and maintaining the Joint Commission Environment of Care (EOC) and Emergency Management (EM) standards.
Lead and coordinate hospital emergency management functions, including development, implementation, and evaluation of Emergency Operations Plans (EOP), Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), and Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVA).
Oversee preparedness, response, and recovery activities by managing Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, facilitating HSEEP‑based exercises and trainings, and integrating security operations with hospital leadership, public safety partners, and community agencies to safeguard patients, staff, and visitors during emergencies.
Coordinate and evaluate hospital‑wide emergency drills, fire drills and exercises in compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, and state requirements; ensure after‑action reports and improvement plans are completed and tracked.
Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of life safety, fire safety, hazardous materials/waste, medical equipment, and utility management programs; collaborate with the Facilities and Environment of Care Committee.
Provide leadership during emergency incidents, serving as a member of the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), and ensure staff are trained and drilled in their emergency response roles.
Maintain effective liaison relationships with local, regional, and state emergency management, fire, police, EMS, and public health agencies.
Oversee regulatory survey readiness for security, life safety, and emergency management standards; prepare documentation, manage tracers, and support compliance audits.
Ensure that staff, patients, and visitors are protected during emergency situations (e.g., severe weather, mass casualty, utility failure, active threat).
Qualifications
Two years of experience as a manager or director and/or management plan owner in the Environment of Care setting.
Demonstrated experience in hospital environments, academic medical centers, behavioral health, public safety departments or similar settings.
Experience managing 24/7 operations, including scheduling, training, and performance evaluations.
Utilization of external benchmarks for setting and achieving performance standards.
Expertise in crisis management, de‑escalation techniques, and conflict mediation.
High School Diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Healthcare Management, Security Studies preferred.
Licensure & Certifications: Driver’s license; FEMA IC (100, 200, 700, 800) preferred; IC and HICS certification, CHPA, FEMA IC courses, MOAB/AVADE preferred.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills—effective interaction with executive leadership, frontline staff, patients, and visitors.
Strong ability to lead teams, develop staff, resolve conflicts, and motivate personnel.
Advanced skill in managing multiple priorities and large‑scale operations simultaneously.
Effective problem‑solving and critical decision‑making, especially under emergency/high‑risk scenarios.
Competence with security systems (CCTV, access control, alarms, incident management software).
Understanding of healthcare regulations relevant to safety, security, and emergency preparedness: Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, NFPA, HICS, IC.
Familiarity with Incident Command System (ICS) and Hospital Incident Command System (HICS).
Working knowledge and awareness of the Joint Commission process.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Job function Other, Information Technology, and Management
Industries Hospitals and Health Care
About Berkshire Health Systems Berkshire Health Systems is a leading health system dedicated to improving patient outcomes and delivering high‑quality care across its hospitals and health services. Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Berkshire Health Systems by 2×.
#J-18808-Ljbffr