Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

North Star Behavioral Health; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous PTO

401k with company match

Education assistance

Professional development

Supportive environment

Ongoing training

Job summary

North Star Behavioral Health in Alaska seeks a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to support patients in inpatient and residential settings across children, adolescents, and adults. The role involves working under the OT to improve daily living tasks, functional independence, and meaningful engagement in activities within a compassionate care environment.

Candidates should hold an OT Assistant license, have 0–3 years in a mental health setting, and demonstrate strong communication

Qualifications

• Associates level degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, licensed required.
• 0-3 years experience in Occupational Therapy in a Mental Health Setting or equivalent.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Occupational Therapist to develop and monitor patient-centered treatment plans.
• Plan and conduct individual and group interventions to improve functioning for those with mental illness.
• Assist patients in developing coping, social, life, and independent living skills.
• Support psychosocial functioning and daily living skills for life role satisfaction.
• Contribute to assessment and evaluation through observation and data collection.

Skills

COTA licensure

Mental health experience

Communication

Education

Associate degree in OT Assistant

Job description

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - 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. We provide acute inpatient and residential levels of care for children and adolescents. We also provide voluntary services to adults through our Arctic Recovery detox program. 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. The Certified Occupation Therapy Assistant is responsible for helping patients improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. Patients may have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborates closely with the Occupational Therapist to develop, implement, and monitor patient-centered treatment plans and goals. Through effective communication, clinical observations, and ongoing feedback, supports individualized interventions that enhance participation in daily activities, promote functional independence, and achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.
• Plans and conducts individual and group interventions in collaboration with the Occupational Therapist to improve functioning and quality of life for individuals affected by or at risk for mental illness. Completes cognitive, functional, ADL, and sensory assessments to identify barriers to occupational performance and support treatment planning. Collects, analyzes, and documents assessment findings and patient progress using occupational therapy principles and evidence-based practices. In concert with the Occupation Therapist, implements the group and individual interventions as developed.
• Assists patients in developing coping, social, life, and independent living skills while promoting engagement in meaningful occupations and achievement of individualized treatment goals. Performs these duties consistent with Occupational Therapy Assistant licensure, education, clinical training, demonstrated competencies, and applicable professional standards under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist.
• Assist patients to develop, recover, or maintain psychosocial functioning and integrate skills for life role satisfaction. Help individuals improve basic reasoning, sensory modulation, executive functioning skills, social participation, and leisure activities to promote development of healthy habits and routines.
• Contributes to the assessment and evaluation process as required and directed by the Occupational Therapist through objective observation, data collection, and communication of patient performance, ensuring treatment plans remain effective and responsive to patients evolving needs.
• Advocates and promotes mental health and wellbeing of all patients by supporting their emotional and mental wellbeing through incorporating meaningful functional based activities that reduce stress, build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and enhance overall quality of life, while collaborating with healthcare team members to address psychosocial needs and provide holistic care.
• Serves as an educator and mentor to therapy students, peers, and other healthcare professionals by facilitating learning experiences, demonstrating best occupational based practices, providing clinical guidance, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. Utilizes occupational therapy knowledge and evidence-based practice to support professional development, enhance clinical competence, and improve patient outcomes through the effective application of occupational therapy principles.
• Follow medical practices policies related to compliance, safety, and infection control. Document patient treatment and outcomes in medical record in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To excel in this role, you should have:

• Clinical Expertise: An Associates level degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (licensed required).
• Experience: 0-3 years experience in Occupational Therapy in a Mental Health Setting or equivalent role in a clinical setting.
• 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

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.

At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skillset and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating a highly efficient and best in class candidate experience. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. The recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc. If you are suspicious of a job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, let us know by contacting us at: https://uhs.alertline.com or 1-800-852-3449.