What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Therapist/COTA/OTA position at North Star Behavioral Health?
Responsibilities
$10,000 SIGNING BONUS!
$10,000 RELOCATION ASSISTANCE!
North Star Behavioral Health Hospital is seeking a talented and dynamic Occupational Therapist/COTA/OTA to join our team of dedicated healthcare professionals!
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) welcome to apply!
North Star Behavioral Health Hospital is the premier behavioral health provider serving Alaska. The Residential Treatment Centers in Anchorage and Palmer provide psychiatric residential treatment for preteen and teen boys (Palmer) and girls (Anchorage) ages 11 to 18. During their stay at North Star’s Residential Treatment Centers, youth learn healthy social, recreational & life skills, which are needed to be successful in the community and at home.
This is a full-time, onsite position at our facility location in Anchorage, AK.
FACILITY LOCATION:
2530 DEBARR ROAD
ANCHORAGE, Alaska 99508
Position Summary
The Occupational Therapist (OT/COTA/OTA) supports patients in achieving their highest level of functional independence. Responsibilities include evaluating needs related to activities of daily living, ADA accommodations, cognitive and sensory challenges, and other barriers to optimal functioning. The OT/COTA/OTA develops targeted interventions, contributes to treatment planning, and facilitates individual and group sessions focused on independent living skills in collaboration with the Activities Therapy team.
Maintains positive, respectful, and cooperative working relationships with all colleagues. Demonstrates courtesy, professionalism, and a supportive attitude in all interactions with patients, families, visitors, and staff. Consistently represents NSBH in a professional manner and serves as a positive role model who contributes to a welcoming, respectful, and team‑oriented environment.
Clinical & Therapeutic Expertise
Qualifications
One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500® corporation, annual revenues during 2025 were $17.4 billion. In 2026, UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ and in 2025, was listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies.
Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 101,500 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 40 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. For additional information visit www.uhs.com.
EEO Statement
All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Avoid and Report Recruitment Scams
We are aware of a scam whereby imposters are posing as Recruiters from UHS, and our subsidiary hospitals and facilities. Beware of anyone requesting financial or personal information.
At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skill set and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (e.g., Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. Our recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc.
If you suspect a fraudulent job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, we encourage you to report such concerns to appropriate law enforcement. We encourage you to refer to legitimate UHS and UHS subsidiary career websites to verify job opportunities and not rely on unsolicited calls from recruiters.
$10,000 SIGNING BONUS!
$10,000 RELOCATION ASSISTANCE!
North Star Behavioral Health Hospital is seeking a talented and dynamic Occupational Therapist/COTA/OTA to join our team of dedicated healthcare professionals!
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) welcome to apply!
North Star Behavioral Health Hospital is the premier behavioral health provider serving Alaska. The Residential Treatment Centers in Anchorage and Palmer provide psychiatric residential treatment for preteen and teen boys (Palmer) and girls (Anchorage) ages 11 to 18. During their stay at North Star’s Residential Treatment Centers, youth learn healthy social, recreational & life skills, which are needed to be successful in the community and at home.
This is a full-time, onsite position at our facility location in Anchorage, AK.
FACILITY LOCATION:
2530 DEBARR ROAD
ANCHORAGE, Alaska 99508
Position Summary
The Occupational Therapist (OT/COTA/OTA) supports patients in achieving their highest level of functional independence. Responsibilities include evaluating needs related to activities of daily living, ADA accommodations, cognitive and sensory challenges, and other barriers to optimal functioning. The OT/COTA/OTA develops targeted interventions, contributes to treatment planning, and facilitates individual and group sessions focused on independent living skills in collaboration with the Activities Therapy team.
Maintains positive, respectful, and cooperative working relationships with all colleagues. Demonstrates courtesy, professionalism, and a supportive attitude in all interactions with patients, families, visitors, and staff. Consistently represents NSBH in a professional manner and serves as a positive role model who contributes to a welcoming, respectful, and team‑oriented environment.
Clinical & Therapeutic Expertise
- Strong knowledge of occupational therapy principles and interventions
- Understanding of psychiatric diagnoses and assaultive behavior management techniques
- Ability to develop age-appropriate programming for adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients
- Experience in group facilitation and recreational therapy activities
- Physically able to participate in and lead therapeutic activities
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to communicate professionally with clients, referral sources, healthcare team members, and community providers
- Strong interpersonal skills; customer-service oriented
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Demonstrates tact, resourcefulness, patience, and dedication
- Uses sound judgment and maintains confidentiality in accordance with professional ethics and facility standards
- Adheres to organizational policies and procedures
- Reacts calmly and effectively in emergency situations
- Participates in performance improvement initiatives and ongoing professional development
- Proficient in planning, organizing, and time management
- Skilled in maintaining records, preparing reports, and handling correspondence
- Competence in basic computer operations and office equipment
- Familiar with telephone etiquette and paging procedures
- Ability to meet deadlines and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Challenging and rewarding work environment
- Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
- Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans
- 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
- SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program
- Tuition savings to continue your nursing education with Chamberlain University
- Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300 Subsidiaries!
- Pet Insurance
- More information is available on our Benefits Guest Website: uhsguest.com
Qualifications
- Associate's degree required. Bachelor's degree preferred.
- 1-3 years experience required
- Current State of Alaska COTA/OTA or OT registration required.
One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500® corporation, annual revenues during 2025 were $17.4 billion. In 2026, UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ and in 2025, was listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies.
Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 101,500 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 40 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. For additional information visit www.uhs.com.
EEO Statement
All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Avoid and Report Recruitment Scams
We are aware of a scam whereby imposters are posing as Recruiters from UHS, and our subsidiary hospitals and facilities. Beware of anyone requesting financial or personal information.
At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skill set and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (e.g., Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. Our recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc.
If you suspect a fraudulent job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, we encourage you to report such concerns to appropriate law enforcement. We encourage you to refer to legitimate UHS and UHS subsidiary career websites to verify job opportunities and not rely on unsolicited calls from recruiters.