Protection Officer Lead
Salem, OR, US
Safety / Security
Full Time
Job ID: #14920
Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: Security
Position Type: Full time, 40 hours/weekly, Non-Exempt
Schedule: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm, various days
Your role with us
Salem Health is seeking a dedicated and experienced protection officer lead to join our Security Services team. This leadership role is vital to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and weapon-free environment for our patients, visitors, and staff. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in security operations, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to customer service. As a protection officer lead, you will play a critical role in upholding Salem Health’s safety standards and organizational mission. By leading weapon detection efforts, coordinating with law enforcement, and mentoring new hires, you will directly contribute to a secure and supportive healthcare environment.
What you'll do
- Weapon Detection and Enforcement: Operate weapon detection systems at entry points to prevent unauthorized or dangerous access, enforce Salem Health’s weapon-free policy, and coordinate with local law enforcement when necessary to mitigate security risks.
- Incident Reporting and Data Entry: Maintain accurate and timely logs, emails, and reports using approved security software, and produce clear documentation of shift activities, incidents, and concerns in accordance with departmental standards.
- Communication: Use radios, phones, and other communication tools to relay critical information quickly and effectively, following established protocols to ensure smooth coordination among field officers and management.
- Observation and Reporting: Monitor facility activities with attention to detail, identifying and reporting safety or security concerns to appropriate personnel to support proactive risk management.
- Customer Service: Provide friendly, professional, and responsive service to patients, visitors, and staff, addressing questions and concerns promptly while maintaining a calm and respectful demeanor.
- Operational Oversight: Conduct regular quality checks of weapon screeners, manage inventory of screening supplies, and ensure adequate staffing levels by coordinating with supervisors to maintain operational readiness.
- Recruitment and Training: Participate in candidate interviews, assist with onboarding and orientation, and deliver hands-on field training to new hires to ensure compliance with Salem Health’s policies and procedures.
- Additional Duties: Perform other assigned tasks that contribute to maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment throughout the organization.
Required qualifications
- Must possess a current and valid Oregon driver’s license with a good driving record.
- DPSST unarmed certification preferred or obtained within one (1) month of hire.
- National Incident Management System (NIMS HICS) 100, 200, and 700 online certificates obtained within one (1) year of hire.
Additional information
- Successful candidates will have relevant experience in security, law enforcement, or military police work.
- Experience in healthcare security and customer service is highly desirable.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft business products (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
Total rewards package
Salem Health's comprehensive benefits package prioritizes your mental and physical health, financial stability, family obligations, and professional growth. Click here for details.
Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.
Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: Security
Position Type: Full time, 40 hours/weekly, Non-Exempt
Schedule: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm, various days
Your role with us
Salem Health is seeking a dedicated and experienced protection officer lead to join our Security Services team. This leadership role is vital to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and weapon-free environment for our patients, visitors, and staff. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in security operations, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to customer service. As a protection officer lead, you will play a critical role in upholding Salem Health’s safety standards and organizational mission. By leading weapon detection efforts, coordinating with law enforcement, and mentoring new hires, you will directly contribute to a secure and supportive healthcare environment.
What you'll do
- Weapon Detection and Enforcement: Operate weapon detection systems at entry points to prevent unauthorized or dangerous access, enforce Salem Health’s weapon-free policy, and coordinate with local law enforcement when necessary to mitigate security risks.
- Incident Reporting and Data Entry: Maintain accurate and timely logs, emails, and reports using approved security software, and produce clear documentation of shift activities, incidents, and concerns in accordance with departmental standards.
- Communication: Use radios, phones, and other communication tools to relay critical information quickly and effectively, following established protocols to ensure smooth coordination among field officers and management.
- Observation and Reporting: Monitor facility activities with attention to detail, identifying and reporting safety or security concerns to appropriate personnel to support proactive risk management.
- Customer Service: Provide friendly, professional, and responsive service to patients, visitors, and staff, addressing questions and concerns promptly while maintaining a calm and respectful demeanor.
- Operational Oversight: Conduct regular quality checks of weapon screeners, manage inventory of screening supplies, and ensure adequate staffing levels by coordinating with supervisors to maintain operational readiness.
- Recruitment and Training: Participate in candidate interviews, assist with onboarding and orientation, and deliver hands-on field training to new hires to ensure compliance with Salem Health’s policies and procedures.
- Additional Duties: Perform other assigned tasks that contribute to maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment throughout the organization.
Required qualifications
- Must possess a current and valid Oregon driver’s license with a good driving record.
- DPSST unarmed certification preferred or obtained within one (1) month of hire.
- National Incident Management System (NIMS HICS) 100, 200, and 700 online certificates obtained within one (1) year of hire.
Additional information
- Successful candidates will have relevant experience in security, law enforcement, or military police work.
- Experience in healthcare security and customer service is highly desirable.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft business products (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
Total rewards package
Salem Health's comprehensive benefits package prioritizes your mental and physical health, financial stability, family obligations, and professional growth. Click here for details.
Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.
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Career exploration program
Whatever your background or career aspirations, there’s a place for you at Salem Health. And our Career Exploration Program can help you identify the ideal opportunity to pursue. The Program allows you to work alongside a healthcare professional as you gain insight into a fulfilling hospital career.


Nursing
Since 2010, Salem Hospital has continuously achieved Magnet™-designation – the gold standard for nursing excellence. Only eight percent of all hospitals achieve this prestigious distinction.
We’ve been able to do this by maintaining a nursing culture that is defined by:
- Consistent teamwork and collaboration
- Exemplary resources to support clinical nurses
- Engaged and inspiring leadership
- A focus on well-being, resilience, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong professional development opportunities
- Pride in delivering quality-of-care that exceeds national norms
- An empowering professional governance structure and professional practice model
- New grad residency support, preceptorship, and mentoring
- Open and transparent strategy alignment
- Feedback is encouraged, valued and incorporated from the staff at all levels.
- Partnerships with community organizations that support improved patient outcomes
If you’re looking for a setting where you can achieve your highest potential as a nurse, we invite you to join us. We welcome all nurses, including those from outside of the United States. At Salem Health, you can experience an inclusive culture that values and rewards your unique qualities and background.



RN residency program
Begin your journey from student nurse to confident practitioner with our RN Residency Program. The program features a combination of didactic lessons, simulation, and track-specific class options. It begins with orientation and training and proceeds to preceptorship and mentorship. Through the program, you will gain clinical expertise as well as valuable professional skills such as communication and critical thinking.


Certified nursing assistants
As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), your contributions are absolutely crucial. You will provide compassionate reassurance and vital patient support in order to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care possible. You will receive competitive compensation as you provide patients with physical care and emotional support. We seek empathetic, and non-judgmental individuals with a sincere passion for elevating others’ lives.


Postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residency program
The Salem Health Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) Residency Program enhances your PharmD education as you develop your clinical expertise in the medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions. The program will be eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residency training. Upon completion of the Salem Health PGY1 residency, we believe you will be a confident and highly capable general practitioner, and well-prepared for the next step in your career.
We will meet you wherever you are on your career journey, and walk with you to your destination
There are over 900 unique positions to choose from at Salem Health. Whatever your background or your professional and personal aspirations, we offer an inclusive learning environment where you can achieve your highest potential in a career that grows with you. And, we’ll help you along the way with perks like tuition reimbursement and certification bonuses.
With so many options, why work anywhere else?

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