Activity Therapist

Universal Health Services; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & benefits

PTO & 401(k) with company match

Education assistance

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Ongoing training

Job summary

North Star Behavioral Health, part of Universal Health Services (UHS), is seeking an Activities Therapist to support psychiatric and substance use care in Alaska. You will lead activity therapy groups, assess patient needs, and help monitor progress within a collaborative treatment program.

The role offers professional growth within the UHS network, with education opportunities and a supportive team focused on compassionate care in Anchorage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy, humanities, social work or related therapeutic discipline.
• National CTRS certification preferred.
• Proficiency in providing psychotherapeutic services.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Completes Activity Therapy assessment on patients, ensuring thoroughness.
• Participates in development of Master Treatment Plan and recommends modifications.
• Provides therapeutic recreation and activity therapy groups with varied interventions.
• Establishes positive rapport with a wide range of patients.
• Manages group process to maximize therapeutic benefit.
• Documents patients’ response, progress, and behavior timely.
• Maintains safe, orderly, and therapeutic environment in activity therapy area.
• Demonstrates correct use of equipment and safety in activities.
• Collaborates with DON/Manager on daily activities and scheduling.
• Coordinates on unit schedule to develop robust programming.
• Operates ropes course with proper belay, knots, and Challenge by Choice.
• Maintains supplies and equipment for ropes course.
• Transport patients via company vehicle for community outings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Clinical Expertise

Licensure CTRS

Therapeutic Skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy or related field

Job description

Responsibilities

Activities Therapist - Join Our Team at North Star Behavioral Health

North Star Behavioral Health, Alaska's premier mental health facility, is on a mission to provide hope and healing to individuals facing psychiatric or substance abuse challenges. Our commitment is to prioritize patient care, offering excellence, comfort, and security during their most vulnerable moments. Join us, and you'll become part of a supportive network of peers and leaders dedicated to continuous learning and industry excellence. At North Star, your career can thrive through robust education opportunities and advancement within the Universal Health Services (UHS) network.

Who is North Star:

At North Star Behavioral Health, we are dedicated to delivering a level of care that not only meets but exceeds expectations. Our vision is simple yet profound: to provide care that patients enthusiastically recommend to their family and friends, care that physicians prefer for their patients, and care that our employees take pride in delivering every day.

We uphold this vision by wholeheartedly embracing the following principles:

• Service Excellence
• Continuous Improvement
• Employee Development
• Ethical and Fair Treatment
• Teamwork
• Compassion
• Innovation

Our commitment to excellence isn't just a slogan - it's a way of life at North Star Behavioral Health. If you share these values and are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families facing mental health challenges, we invite you to join our team.

Together, we can continue to provide the highest level of care and create a brighter future for those we serve.

Key Responsibilities

1. Completes Activity Therapy assessment on patients, ensuring each assessment is thorough and addresses all required fields.
2. Participates in development of Master Treatment Plan and recommends effective alternatives or modification to treatment plans based on patient progress and response to treatment program.
3. Provides therapeutic recreation and activity therapy groups; able to provide a variety of appropriate therapeutic interventions depending on client needs and abilities.
4. Establishes a positive rapport and minimizes resistance with a wide variety of patients.
5. Manages group process to maximize therapeutic benefit to patients.
6. Documents patients’ response, progress, and behavior in the group in a complete and timely manner.
7. Maintains a safe, orderly, and therapeutic physical environment for patients and staff members; maintains a clean and organized activity therapy area.
8. Demonstrates and/or explains the correct use of equipment and safety involved in various recreational or experimental activities.
9. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of behavioral concepts applicable to the treatment of psychiatric patient population.
10. Communicates with the DON/ Manager regarding planned activities for the day, patient acuity, expected group participants, personnel schedule changes, etc.
11. Collaborates on unit schedule with building leadership to develop a robust and therapeutic programming schedule
12. Demonstrate proper belay, knots, and Challenge by Choice techniques in facilitating ropes course.
13. Maintain supplies and equipment necessary for the safe and effective operation of the ropes course.
14. Act individually or in concert with another individual in the operation of the ropes course.
15. Transport patients via company vehicle when providing a community integration outing.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications: To excel in this role, you should have:

• Clinical Expertise: A bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy, humanities, social work or a related therapeutic discipline field.
• Licensure:Nationally Certified by the NCTRC as CTRS Preferred.
• Therapeutic Skills: Proficiency in providing psychotherapeutic services.
• Communication: Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Generous PTO, 401(k) with company match and discounted stock plan
• Education Assistance
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• A supportive and collaborative work environment
• Access to ongoing training and educational opportunities

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 were $12.6 billion in 2021. During the year, UHS was again recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune; and listed in Forbes ranking of America's Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 89,000 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 all over the U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. 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.

We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.