17 Hospital Security Officer Interview Questions and Answers

Hospitals are high-stress environments, and the security officers who protect patients, staff, and property are critical to maintaining a sense of safety. Hospital security officers are the first and last line of defense against crime, violence, and other threats.

If you’re looking for a career in security, one of the best ways to get started is by interviewing for a hospital security officer job. In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working nights, weekends and holidays?

Hospital security officers often work nights, weekends and holidays. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re okay with these hours. They also want to know if you have any experience working in these situations. If you do, share your experiences. If you don’t, explain that you are willing to learn.

Example: “I am comfortable working nights, weekends and holidays. In my last position as a nightclub bouncer, I worked all of these hours. It was actually one of the reasons I applied for this job. I enjoy interacting with people at night. I find it’s usually more calm than during the day. I’m excited to be part of the hospital team.”

What are some of the security certifications or training you have received?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the necessary training and certifications for the job. They want to make sure that you are qualified for the position, so they might list some of the qualifications they’re looking for in a candidate. When preparing for your interview, look over the job description to see what certifications or training the employer is looking for. If you don’t have any of those qualifications, consider getting them before applying for the job.

Example: “I am currently enrolled in a security certification program through my local community college. I plan on completing it by the end of the year. In addition to that, I have been working as a hospital security officer for five years now, so I have plenty of experience with the role.”

How would you handle a situation where you saw a patient’s family member stealing their belongings?

Security officers in hospitals often have to deal with difficult situations. This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you can handle challenging situations and remain calm under pressure. In your answer, explain how you would assess the situation and use your training to make a decision about what action to take.

Example: “I once had a family member steal their loved one’s belongings while they were sleeping. I noticed this person was acting suspiciously and followed them into the parking lot where they put the patient’s belongings into their car. I calmly approached them and asked if everything was okay. They said yes but I could tell they were lying. I called security for backup and we waited until the patient woke up before confronting them again. The patient confirmed that their belongings were missing and we escorted the family member off the premises.

What is your process for handling a situation where you see suspicious activity, but the person leaves before you can speak with them?

Hospital security officers often have to make quick decisions about how to handle suspicious activity. Your answer should show that you can use your judgment and experience to decide whether a situation is serious enough to warrant action or if it’s better to wait until more information becomes available.

Example: “If I see someone acting suspiciously, but they leave before I can speak with them, I would try to find out who they are and what their intentions were. If I’m unable to identify the person, I would report the incident to my supervisor so we could discuss our options for further investigation.”

Provide an example of a time where you used your communication skills to resolve a conflict between two patients.

Hospital security officers often need to use their communication skills to resolve conflicts between patients. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience doing so and that your answer shows how you used your interpersonal skills to help the situation. In your answer, try to describe a specific example of when you helped two patients resolve a conflict.

Example: “In my previous role as a hospital security officer, I had a patient who was waiting for his family members to arrive at the hospital. He became impatient and started yelling at other patients in the waiting room. I went over to him and asked if he would like me to call his family members for him. He agreed, and I called them while he waited in another part of the hospital. This allowed him to calm down and wait patiently until his family arrived.”

If a patient or visitor asked you a question about a specific staff member, how would you respond to maintain confidentiality?

Hospital security officers must be able to maintain confidentiality at all times. This question helps the interviewer assess your ability to do so and how you would respond in a situation where someone asks about another staff member. In your answer, demonstrate that you understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and can do so effectively.

Example: “I would first explain that I am not allowed to discuss any information about other hospital staff members. If they asked why, I would tell them it is because we are required by law to protect their privacy. I would then redirect the conversation to something else.”

What would you do if you saw a fellow security officer sleeping on the job?

This question is a test of your ability to work with others and ensure that they are following the rules. It also shows how you would handle conflict in the workplace. In your answer, try to show that you can be firm but fair when addressing this situation.

Example: “I would first ask my colleague if they were feeling ill or had any other reason for sleeping on duty. If not, I would tell them that it was against hospital policy and that they should take a break before returning to their duties. I would then report the incident to my supervisor so that they could address the issue.”

How well do you follow written instructions?

Hospital security officers often receive written instructions from their supervisors. This question helps employers determine how well you can follow detailed directions and whether you would be able to perform your job duties independently. In your answer, explain that you are a highly organized person who is comfortable with following written instructions.

Example: “I am very good at following written instructions because I’m an extremely organized person. Throughout my career as a police officer, I received many written instructions from my superiors. I always made sure to read the instructions carefully before beginning any task. If I ever had questions about the instructions, I asked for clarification so I could make sure I understood everything.”

Do you have experience patrolling large areas and monitoring multiple screens at once?

This question can help the interviewer determine whether you have experience with a specific type of security work. Security officers in hospitals often need to monitor multiple screens at once, so it’s important that they’re comfortable doing this. In your answer, try to explain how you’ve handled similar situations in the past and what skills helped you succeed.

Example: “In my previous role as a hospital security officer, I was responsible for patrolling large areas while monitoring multiple cameras at once. This required me to be highly attentive and able to multitask effectively. To do this, I used my active listening skills to focus on one task at a time and quickly switch between them when needed. I also relied on my ability to remain calm under pressure.”

When performing security checks, do you prefer to work alone or with another officer?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you work with others and your interpersonal skills. Security officers often need to collaborate with other hospital staff members, so it’s important that you’re able to communicate effectively with them. When answering this question, try to emphasize your ability to work well with others.

Example: “I prefer working alone when performing security checks because I feel like I’m more efficient without another person distracting me. However, I understand that there are times when a second officer is necessary, so I am always willing to work with another officer if needed.”

We want to encourage our security officers to report suspicious activity. How would you define suspicious activity and what would you do if you saw it?

Hospital security officers are often the first line of defense against suspicious activity. Employers ask this question to make sure you know what constitutes suspicious behavior and how to report it. In your answer, define what suspicious activity is and give an example of a time when you reported it.

Example: “Suspicious activity is any situation that makes me feel uncomfortable or unsafe. For example, if I saw someone wandering around the hospital at night who didn’t look like they belonged there, I would approach them and ask what they were doing. If they couldn’t provide a good explanation for their presence, I would call my supervisor to let them know.”

Describe your experience with first-aid and CPR.

Hospital security officers often need to be prepared for emergencies. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to help in a medical emergency. In your answer, explain what first-aid and CPR training you have. If you don’t have any experience with these techniques, mention that you are willing to learn them.

Example: “I took a basic first-aid course when I was in high school. It’s been a few years since then, but I still remember most of the important information. I also completed a certification program through my employer last year. This program included CPR training, so I am confident in my ability to perform it.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you would be a good fit for the role. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description thoroughly so that you can refer to specific requirements when answering this question. In your answer, try to highlight any skills or experiences that match what they are looking for in an ideal candidate.

Example: “I am passionate about working as a security officer in a hospital setting because I believe it is important to keep patients and staff members safe at all times. Throughout my career, I have worked hard to develop my communication and problem-solving skills, which makes me confident that I could handle any situation that arises while on duty. My ability to remain calm under pressure also makes me an ideal candidate for this position.”

Which security software programs have you used in the past and how were they effective?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with security software programs. This can help them determine if you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform well in this role. When answering, try to list as many programs as possible that you’ve used before. Try to focus on those that are relevant to this position.

Example: “In my previous hospital security officer role, I used a variety of different security software programs. One program was an access control system that monitored who entered and exited certain areas of the hospital. Another was a video surveillance system that recorded all activity within designated areas. Finally, I also used a visitor management system that tracked which visitors were allowed into the hospital.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being a hospital security officer?

This question can help interviewers understand what you think about the role and how you approach it. They may also use your answer to decide whether you are a good fit for the position, so be sure to explain why this is challenging and how you would handle it.

Example: “The most challenging part of being a hospital security officer is when I have to enforce rules or regulations that cause patients or their families distress. For example, if I need to ask someone to leave because they aren’t following facility policies, I always make sure to do so in a respectful way. I try to give them as much information as possible before asking them to leave so they know why we’re doing this and what they can do differently next time.”

How often do you perform routine checks?

Security officers often perform routine checks to ensure the safety of patients and staff. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how important these checks are. In your answer, explain that you will conduct routine checks at least once every hour. You can also mention that you will use a checklist to help you remember all areas to check.

Example: “I believe it is very important to perform routine checks throughout the night. I would do this by checking each floor in my assigned area for any suspicious activity or open doors. I would also make sure all alarms were functioning properly and that there was no unusual activity on security cameras. If I noticed anything out of place, I would immediately report it to my supervisor.”

There is a large crowd gathering outside of the hospital. How do you handle this situation?

Security officers are often responsible for handling large crowds of people. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with crowd control and can handle a situation like this one. In your answer, explain how you would assess the situation and decide what action to take.

Example: “I would first try to find out why there is such a large crowd gathering outside of the hospital. If it’s because of an emergency or accident, I would immediately call security management to let them know about the situation. If it’s just a group of people who are waiting for someone to be discharged, I would politely ask them to move away from the building so they don’t block any entrances.”