Newly-trained Institutional Safety Officers begin at Brandon Regional Health Centre
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is pleased to announce that newly-trained institutional safety officers (ISOs) have begun patrolling Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC). A formal ‘graduation ceremony’ for the 16 officers and one supervisor who were enrolled in the training program was held in Brandon on January 3.
ISOs are licensed as Peace Officers and, in health-care environments, have additional training in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, search and investigative skills, evidence collecting and report writing. They also have training which allows them to accept a mental health patient from the police and then secure and protect them until seen by healthcare professionals. The newly-trained officers required established qualification and training/certification as a Manitoba Security Guard and that the candidate was already certified and trained as a Qualified Persons Security Officer (QPSO).
Prairie Mountain Health CEO Treena Slate says the addition of ISOs fills a critical role in upholding the highest standards of safety and accountability within PMH facilities.
“Safety of our staff, patients, residents and visitors is paramount. We continue to enhance efforts to balance the security needs of our facilities with the continued need to be a welcoming environment for those seeking care,” Slate stated.
Slate added that the advanced skill set for ISOs enhances PMH’s ability to support those in crisis and helps ease the burden on law enforcement, enabling a more collaborative approach to care and safety.
PMH anticipates two more BRHC participants will finalize their training through the program within the next four to six weeks. Training is completed in Brandon through a mix of new online education and in person education provided by Shared Health and PMH certified instructors, as outlined by Manitoba Justice
ISO guards will stand out differently as their body armor will have ‘peace officer’ designations, attributable to the guards being licensed by Manitoba Justice under the Police Services Act. ISO guards will also wear a different colour uniform shirt than the other levels of security guards. Up to four ISO guards per shift augmented by other PMH Security Guards on duty.
