Top 10 Hospital Security Officer Certifications

Certifications for hospital security officers are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of professionalism and a commitment to the safety and security of their workplace. A certification shows potential employers that the individual has received specialized training in areas such as risk management, emergency response, and healthcare security. It also indicates that the individual is knowledgeable about laws and regulations related to healthcare security and patient privacy. Finally, certifications can provide assurance to employers that their employees are up-to-date on best practices for hospital security.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Hospital Security Officers and explain how these certifications can help to advance a security officer's career.

What are Hospital Security Officer Certifications?

Hospital security officer certification is a specialized training program designed to help prepare individuals for work in the field of hospital security. This certification focuses on teaching officers the necessary skills and knowledge needed to ensure the safety and security of patients, staff, and visitors in a healthcare setting.

The program provides information on topics such as emergency response procedures, patient rights, legal considerations, and other important aspects of hospital security. It also covers communication techniques for interacting with patients, staff, and visitors.

By completing this certification program, participants will gain the skills needed to address security issues in a professional manner. Hospital security officers who have completed this certification are better able to recognize potential threats and take appropriate action when needed. They are also better equipped to respond quickly and effectively during emergencies or other critical situations.

Overall, obtaining hospital security officer certification can benefit both healthcare facilities and their employees by providing an extra layer of protection against potential threats or incidents that may occur within the facility.

Pro Tip: When considering hospital security officer certification, look for a program that offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of hospital security operations including physical security, emergency response planning, and active shooter preparedness. Additionally, make sure the certification program includes hands-on training and practice drills so you can gain experience in real-world scenarios.

Related: What does a Hospital Security Officer do?

Top 10 Hospital Security Officer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Hospital Security Officers today.

1. Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA)

Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate expertise in the field of healthcare security. The CHPA certification was developed by ASIS International, a global organization for security professionals. The certification is intended to provide healthcare organizations with assurance that their security personnel have the necessary knowledge and skills to protect patients, staff, and property from potential threats.

The CHPA certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as risk management, emergency preparedness and response, physical security, access control systems, and legal considerations. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours. Applicants must also submit proof of at least three years of experience in healthcare security or related fields.

It typically takes several weeks or months to complete the application process for the CHPA certification. After submitting all required documentation and passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certificate in the mail.

The cost of obtaining the CHPA certification varies depending on whether you are an ASIS member or non-member. For members, the cost is $325; for non-members it is $425.

2. Certified Hospital Security Officer (CHSO)

A Certified Hospital Security Officer (CHSO) is an individual who has completed specialized training and certification in hospital security. This certification is designed to ensure that those working in the healthcare industry are knowledgeable about the latest security protocols, technologies, and techniques. It also helps to ensure that security personnel have the skills necessary to protect patients, staff, and visitors from potential threats.

The CHSO certification is offered by ASIS International, a leading professional organization for security professionals. To become certified as a CHSO, individuals must pass an exam administered by ASIS International and complete a minimum of 16 hours of approved training courses.

The cost of becoming certified as a CHSO varies depending on the specific training courses chosen. The cost of taking the exam is $200 USD, while the cost of completing the required training can range from $500-1,000 USD depending on which courses are taken.

In total, it typically takes between two and four months to become certified as a CHSO after registering with ASIS International and completing all required coursework.

3. Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)

Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) is a certification program offered by the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of competency in the field of healthcare risk management. The CPHRM designation is awarded to those who demonstrate expertise in areas such as patient safety, quality assurance, legal and regulatory compliance, and financial risk management.

The CPHRM certification requires successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as risk assessment, risk control strategies, patient safety and quality improvement processes, legal and regulatory compliance requirements, and financial risk management principles. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and case studies. It typically takes about four hours to complete.

To be eligible to take the CPHRM exam, applicants must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; three years of full-time work experience in healthcare risk management; or a combination of education and experience that totals seven years.

The cost for taking the CPHRM exam is $495 for ASHRM members and $595 for non-members. The fee includes access to study materials such as practice exams, sample questions, webinars, podcasts, videos, books, articles, and more.

Once you pass the exam you will receive your CPHRM certification which must be renewed every three years with continuing education credits obtained through ASHRM programs or other approved sources.

4. Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP)

The Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to practice in the field of healthcare safety. The CHSP certification is offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).

It takes approximately six months to complete the CHSP certification process. The process includes completing an application, passing an examination, and submitting evidence of continuing education. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation from professionals in their area of study.

To obtain the CHSP certification, applicants must first submit an application to BCSP. Once the application is approved, applicants must then pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics related to healthcare safety management such as risk assessment and control, emergency preparedness and response, incident investigation and reporting, hazard communication and training, environmental health and safety regulations, medical surveillance programs, ergonomics/human factors engineering principles and practices, infection control principles and practices, hazardous materials management principles and practices, occupational health principles and practices, industrial hygiene principles and practices.

The cost for obtaining the CHSP certification is $495 for BCSP members or $595 for non-members. This fee covers all aspects of the certification process including the application fee, exam fee, processing fees, continuing education requirements fees as well as any additional fees associated with recertification or renewal of the certification.

5. Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). The CEM credential is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in all aspects of emergency management. It is intended to provide an objective measure of an individual’s qualifications, training, and experience in emergency management.

The CEM program consists of four components: a written examination, a portfolio review, professional development points, and a commitment to continuing education. The written exam covers topics such as disaster planning, mitigation, response, recovery, hazard identification and risk assessment. The portfolio review assesses the applicant’s experience in emergency management and related fields. Professional development points are earned through activities such as attending conferences or workshops related to emergency management or completing courses at accredited universities. Finally, applicants must commit to ongoing professional development activities in order to maintain their certification.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year for an individual to complete all four components of the CEM program. To get started on the path towards becoming CEM certified, individuals should first become members of IAEM and then register for the CEM program on the IAEM website.

The cost for becoming CEM certified varies depending on whether you are already an IAEM member or not. For non-members, it costs $125 for registration plus $225 for the exam fee; members pay only $225 for the exam fee. Additional fees may apply if you need to retake any portion of the exam or if you need to resubmit your portfolio due to unsatisfactory scores from reviewers.

6. Emergency Management Certification Program (EMCP)

The Emergency Management Certification Program (EMCP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of emergency management practice. The program is administered by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).

The EMCP consists of three levels of certification: Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Associate Emergency Manager (AEM), and Professional Emergency Manager (PEM). Each level requires progressively more experience, education, and training in emergency management.

To obtain the CEM certification, applicants must have a minimum of five years' experience in emergency management or related fields; complete an approved IAEM-certified course; pass a written examination; and submit a portfolio demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and abilities. To obtain the AEM certification, applicants must have at least two years' experience in emergency management or related fields; complete an approved IAEM-certified course; pass a written examination; and submit a portfolio demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and abilities. To obtain the PEM certification, applicants must have at least seven years' experience in emergency management or related fields; complete an approved IAEM-certified course; pass a written examination; and submit a portfolio demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The time it takes to get certified depends on how quickly you can complete the requirements for each level. Generally speaking, it will take at least six months to complete all three levels of certification.

In order to get certified through EMCP you will need to register with IAEM online or by mail. Registration fees vary depending on your membership status with IAEM but generally range from $50-$200 USD depending on which level you are registering for. You will also need to pay for any courses that you take as part of your certification process as well as any additional fees associated with taking the exams or submitting your portfolio.

7. Certified in Healthcare Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR)

Certified in Healthcare Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR) is a certification program for healthcare professionals who are interested in developing their knowledge and skills in emergency preparedness and response. The CHEPR certification provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals to demonstrate their expertise in the field of emergency preparedness and response.

The CHEPR certification requires applicants to complete an online course, which typically takes around 15 hours to complete. The course covers topics such as disaster management, hazard identification and assessment, medical surge capacity planning, incident command system, and more. Upon completion of the online course, applicants must pass a proctored exam administered by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

To obtain the CHEPR certification, applicants must pay a fee of $150 USD. This fee covers the cost of the online course and the proctored exam. The certification is valid for three years after which it must be renewed by taking additional courses or completing continuing education credits.

8. Certified Healthcare Security Supervisor (CHSS)

Certified Healthcare Security Supervisor (CHSS) is a professional certification program designed to give healthcare security professionals the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and lead healthcare security operations. The CHSS certification was developed by ASIS International, a global organization for security professionals.

The CHSS certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and an oral examination. The written exam covers topics such as healthcare security principles, legal issues, risk management, emergency preparedness, and incident response. The oral examination tests the candidate’s knowledge of healthcare security operations and their ability to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios.

It typically takes 8-12 months to complete the CHSS certification program. To get started, candidates must first become members of ASIS International and then register for the CHSS exam. After registering, candidates must complete the required coursework and pass both the written and oral examinations in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the CHSS certification program varies depending on whether you are an ASIS International member or not. For non-members, it costs $1,200 for the written exam plus $450 for each hour of instruction needed for the oral examination. For members, it costs $800 for the written exam plus $300 for each hour of instruction needed for the oral examination.

9. National Incident Management System Certification Program (NIMS-CP)

The National Incident Management System Certification Program (NIMS-CP) is a voluntary program developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to recognize individuals who have achieved a level of proficiency in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The NIMS-CP provides individuals with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of NIMS principles, concepts, and components.

It typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete the certification process. To get certified, applicants must complete an online application and pass a written exam. The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions that test an individual’s knowledge of NIMS principles, concepts, and components. Applicants must achieve a score of 70% or higher in order to pass the exam.

The cost for the NIMS-CP certification varies depending on whether you are an individual or an organization. For individuals, the cost is $150; for organizations, it is $250.

10. International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety Certification Program (IAHSS-CP).

The International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety Certification Program (IAHSS-CP) is an internationally recognized certification program that provides healthcare security and safety professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to excel in their field. The IAHSS-CP is designed to help healthcare organizations ensure the safety of patients, staff, visitors, and property. It also helps organizations meet regulatory requirements and standards.

The IAHSS-CP consists of two levels: Basic and Advanced. The Basic level focuses on core competencies such as access control, emergency preparedness, physical security systems, workplace violence prevention, and more. The Advanced level covers topics such as risk assessment and management, security system design and implementation, incident response planning, and more.

It typically takes three to six months to complete the IAHSS-CP certification process depending on the level of certification desired. To get certified at either the Basic or Advanced level you must first complete a course offered by an approved provider such as a college or university. After completing the course you must then pass an exam administered by IAHSS that tests your knowledge of healthcare security and safety principles.

The cost of the IAHSS-CP certification varies depending on which level you are seeking certification for. Generally speaking it costs between $400-$600 USD for the Basic Level certification and between $800-$1,000 USD for the Advanced Level certification.

Overall obtaining an IAHSS-CP certification can be beneficial for those looking to advance their career in healthcare security or safety as it provides employers with assurance that they have a qualified professional working with them who has been trained in best practices related to healthcare security and safety principles.

Do You Really Need a Hospital Security Officer Certificate?

When it comes to deciding whether or not you need a hospital security officer certificate, the answer is yes. The healthcare industry has become increasingly complex, with many different types of personnel and visitors entering and exiting facilities on a daily basis. As such, it is essential that those responsible for protecting patients and personnel have the proper training and certification to do so.

The role of a hospital security officer is critical in maintaining the safety and security of the entire facility. They are responsible for monitoring all activity within the premises, including visitors, staff, and patients. They also provide protection from potential threats such as theft, vandalism, or violence. Additionally, they are responsible for responding to incidents quickly and effectively in order to minimize any risk or harm that may occur.

Having a hospital security officer certificate demonstrates that an individual has received the necessary training to properly perform their job duties. This includes knowledge of building access control systems, understanding relevant laws related to healthcare facilities, as well as basic first aid skills. Additionally, having a certificate shows that an individual is committed to providing quality security services and taking all necessary measures to protect patients and staff within the facility.

Overall, having a hospital security officer certificate is essential for anyone looking to work in this field of work. It provides confidence in one’s qualifications while also demonstrating professionalism and dedication to safety standards set by the health care facility they will be working at.

Related: Hospital Security Officer Resume Examples

FAQs About Hospital Security Officer Certifications

1. What qualifications are required to become a hospital security officer?

Answer: A hospital security officer must have a high school diploma or equivalent, possess good communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to pass a background check. Depending on the jurisdiction, additional certifications such as First Aid/CPR may also be required.

2. Are there specific courses I need to take to become certified as a hospital security officer?

Answer: Yes, most jurisdictions have specific training requirements for certification, which often involve taking courses related to medical terminology, patient care, emergency response protocols and other topics relevant to the job.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a hospital security officer?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified varies depending on the jurisdiction and the individual's experience level. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one year to several years of study and work experience in order to obtain certification as a hospital security officer.

4. What is the cost associated with becoming certified as a hospital security officer?

Answer: The cost of certification varies by jurisdiction and can range from hundreds of dollars for basic certifications up to thousands of dollars for more advanced certifications such as those related to healthcare security management. It is important for individuals interested in pursuing certification to research available programs and their associated costs before making any financial commitments.

5. What type of job opportunities are available for certified hospital security officers?

Answer: Certified hospital security officers can find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other medical settings where they will be responsible for ensuring the safety of patients, staff and visitors while also providing support services such as escorting patients or helping with crowd control during emergencies or special events.