The Healthcare Security Day Supervisor is a senior operational leader responsible for overseeing a large, multidisciplinary security team within a busy acute hospital. This role ensures the continuous safety of patients, staff, visitors, and clinical operations by delivering high-performance security services, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and hospital requirements, and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
The Healthcare Security Day Supervisor plays a critical role in emergency preparedness, crisis response, training delivery, team capability development, and the operational management of complex security systems and high-risk environments unique to acute healthcare settings.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Leadership & Large-Team Management
- Conduct structured performance reviews, coaching sessions, and succession planning for emerging leaders.
- Implement consistent leadership standards across all shifts, ensuring alignment between day, evening, and night teams.
- Manage interpersonal issues, disciplinary matters, and conflict resolution with professionalism.
- Promote a culture of patient safety, empathy, accountability, and excellence in service delivery.
2. High-Risk Operational Oversight
- Supervise security operations across emergency departments, inpatient wards, mental health areas, paediatrics, ICU, theatres, and restricted clinical environments.
- Ensure the safe management of high-risk patients and visitors, including those exhibiting aggression, suicidal ideation, or behavioural health concerns.
- Oversee patient-watch assignments, ensuring officer competency and adherence to safety protocols.
- Conduct daily site-wide inspections, ensuring safety hazards, maintenance issues, and access concerns are escalated and resolved.
3. Systems Monitoring & Technical Oversight
- Oversee real-time monitoring of CCTV (Cathexis), access control (CPAM/ACT), and fire/BMS systems (HCC/Maestro).
- Ensure all team members are trained and competent to operate these systems effectively.
- Troubleshoot system alerts, alarms, access issues, and coordinate maintenance with technical staff.
- Lead CCTV evidence-gathering processes, ensuring chain-of-custody compliance for Garda requests.
4. Rostering, Scheduling & Workforce Planning
- Create and manage large-scale rosters ensuring full coverage of all critical and non-critical posts.
- Complete forward-planning for peak periods, including flu season, visiting hours, and major hospital events.
- Oversee Timegate accuracy, approve overtime, investigate anomalies, and manage payroll queries.
- Maintain balanced staffing across ED, main hospital, car parks, and specialist clinical areas.
5. Incident Response & Investigation
- Serve as the first senior responder to all major incidents, including medical emergencies, fire alarms, missing patients, aggressive behaviour, and security breaches.
- Lead de-escalation and crisis negotiation where required.
- Ensure production of high-quality incident reports, statements, and investigation findings.
- Coordinate with Gardaí, Fire Services, and hospital management during significant events.
6. Emergency Preparedness & Drills
- Ensure all staff are fully trained in major incident procedures, fire evacuation, cardiac arrest response, and lockdown protocols.
- Lead scheduled emergency drills and simulation exercises.
- Maintain readiness of panic alarms, cardiac arrest bleeps, fire panels, and emergency equipment.
7. Training, Competency & Professional Development
- Deliver structured training programs for new and existing officers covering:
• Conflict management & de-escalation
• Patient-watch protocols
• Emergency code procedures
• Hospital-specific SOPs
• Use of security systems and radios
• Report writing & documentation standards
- Ensure ongoing CPD for all staff; track completion of mandatory HSE/Human Focus modules.
- Identify skill gaps and implement tailored development plans.
8. Compliance, Auditing & Quality Assurance
- Conduct regular audits on:
• Access control integrity
• CCTV compliance & retention
• Incident reporting standards
• Patrol frequency & quality
• Fire safety checks and documentation
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, PSA regulations, hospital policies, health & safety legislation, and emergency procedures.
9. Stakeholder & Client Relationship Management
- Maintain strong working relationships with ED leadership, nursing teams, Facilities, HR, Clinical Directors, and hospital operations.
- Participate in hospital security committee meetings, contributing operational insights and improvement proposals.
- Support hospital-wide initiatives such as patient flow, infection control security checkpoints, and visitor management.
10. Administration & Reporting
- Produce daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports, dashboards, KPIs, and ED statistics.
- Maintain accurate documentation including incident logs, risk assessments, training files, staff certifications, and shift handover notes.
- Manage ID badge requests, swipe permissions, contractor access, and visitor authorisations.
TRAINING EXPECTATIONS FOR SUPERVISORS
Healthcare Security Supervisors must demonstrate advanced competence in:
- Conflict resolution, non-physical de-escalation, and safe physical intervention principles.
- Clinical environment protocols such as infection control, patient dignity, and safeguarding.
- Emergency code responses (Code Blue, Code Red, Code Black, etc.).
- Advanced CCTV operations, access control systems, and alarm response workflows.
- Incident command structure during major events.
- Coaching and mentoring techniques for large teams.
- Hospital cultural awareness, communication etiquette, and customer service excellence.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND
- Minimum 3–5 years' experience supervising large security teams.
- Experience in hospital, healthcare, or similarly high-risk environments.
- Strong history of responding to high-acuity incidents.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities in an intense, fast-paced setting.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- Emotional resilience and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
- Strong moral judgement, integrity, and confidentiality.
- Ability to lead by example and uphold organisational values.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Full rotational shifts including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
- High-activity environment requiring sustained concentration, rapid decision-making, and physical mobility.
- Exposure to emotionally challenging situations involving patients and families.