Types of Training

Types of Training

Considerable dialogue and printed materials are available relative to the type and content of training appropriate for healthcare securityofficers. There are five fundamental types of training the healthcare security program must give significant consideration: new securityofficer training, IAHSS Progressive Certification, specialized program training, elective training, and security leadership development activities.

The new security officer training is the basic security training applicable to virtually every security officer and provides the foundation of knowledge that allows for a successful career. Beyond the healthcare organization’s orientation program for new employees, newsecurity officers should be exposed to a mixture of instructor-led training and task-specific on-the-job training (OJT). The IAHSS Progressive Certification training programs described in this text are considered basic areas of training which, when supplemented by specialized training, can significantly enhance security officer performance. Specialized training takes into consideration the function and responsibility of the officer in a specific organizational setting. Like the new security officer training, both IAHSS certification and specialized training should be considered a fundamental part of the organization-mandated officer training.

New Security Officer Training

Professional security officer training is a combination of protection, customer service, and public relations. The security officer reflects the customer-service attitude and security posture of the HCF. Proper training of newly hired security officers can produce the ROI in terms of attaining the highest level of security and safety. Each new security employee should receive a series of training modules designed to provide security-specific education and healthcare-specific training in an efficient and verifiable manner. The training of new security personnel should be to a standard of performance and not just to the time allotted.

The amount and quality of pre service training for the new security officer is critical to the success of the officer and to the delivery of high-quality services. Unfortunately, much pre service training consists of on-the-job instruction of a new officer by another officer. The disadvantages of this method are obvious. New officers become only as proficient as their teachers, and they often learn the wrong way from the beginning. On the other hand, a formal 40-, 60-, or 80-hour instructor-led course is cost-prohibitive and rarely conducted for one or two newly hired officers.

IAHSS Progressive Certification Program

The Progressive Certification program of IAHSS is a three-tier training and certification program that helps security officers prepare for and address the special protection needs of healthcare institutions. Providing a foundation understanding of healthcare security, the Basic Training level is the first phase in the IAHSS Progressive Certification program. The Advanced and Supervisory Training levels expand on the Basic Training program and allow security officers to continue their education after becoming certified at the Basic Training level. The programs are designed for the healthcare security officer who desires to achieve higher levels of responsibility in the organization. The following certifications, administered by the IAHSS Commission on Certification, are available:

Specialized or Supplemental Training

The specialized training developed by the organization is intended to be specific to the needs, philosophy, and concerns of that organization. For example, weapons training would pertain to the use-of-force tools utilized in the security program. Specialized training may also build on areas of basic training provided during reassignment training or in the IAHSS Progressive Certification training series. For example, the IAHSS basic training includes general crisis intervention; however, a specific organization may want to supplement training in this area by using a nationally recognized program or an in-house developed program.

An example of developing specific programs to be part of the overall security training program can be found at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis) and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. There, the security staff researches, designs, and teaches many of what they refer to as “supplemental courses.” At the end of each course, the attendees grade the class and evaluate the instructor from an effectiveness viewpoint. A recent annual training program developed by the security staff consisted of some 11 different training areas.

Elective Training

Elective training is generally considered to be for individual self-improvement, but may have some relevance to the employee’s job. Healthcare organizations may offer classes such as general computer training or CPR/First Aid, neither of which may be required of the security officer’s position. There are also numerous 1- and 2-day workshops and seminars offered in communities in which the individual may wish to participate.