Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) - Pediatric Acute Care PRN

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

MCJCHV Peds Rehab

Job Summary:

Provide physical therapy treatment to patients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease or other causes. Actively collaborates with the health care/educational team to meet patient care, outcomes and system improvement objectives.

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Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) - Pediatric Acute Care PRN

Location: Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt | Nashville, TN

Schedule: PRN (As Needed) | Variable Weekday & Weekend Coverage

 

Make a Difference When Children Need It Most

 

Are you a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) who is passionate about helping children regain mobility, independence, and confidence during hospitalization? Join the Pediatric Rehabilitation team at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Tennessee's top-ranked children's hospital and a national leader in pediatric healthcare.

 

As a PRN PTA, you'll provide skilled therapy services to infants, children, and adolescents in an acute care setting, working alongside expert therapists, physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary teams to support recovery during some of life's most challenging moments.

 

Why Pediatric Acute Care?

 

No two days are the same. You'll work with patients experiencing a wide range of medical and surgical conditions, including:

 

• Orthopedic injuries and post-surgical recovery
• Neurologic and neuromuscular disorders
• Trauma and critical illness
• Complex medical diagnoses
• Mobility impairments requiring acute rehabilitation intervention

 

Your work helps children safely return to the activities that matter most while supporting families throughout their healthcare journey.

 

What You'll Do

 

• Deliver physical therapy interventions under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist
• Implement individualized treatment plans focused on mobility, strength, balance, endurance, and functional independence
• Assist patients with transfers, gait training, therapeutic exercise, and developmental mobility activities
• Educate caregivers on safe mobility techniques and discharge recommendations
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, child life specialists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other team members
• Document patient progress and treatment outcomes accurately and efficiently

 

What We're Looking For

 

• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program
• Associate's degree in Physical Therapist Assisting
• Current Tennessee PTA license or eligibility to obtain prior to employment
• Previous pediatric, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, or hospital-based experience preferred
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills
• Passion for family-centered pediatric care

 

Why Vanderbilt Health?

 

• Practice at one of the nation's premier pediatric academic medical centers
• Work alongside highly specialized pediatric rehabilitation professionals
• Gain experience with diverse patient populations and complex diagnoses
• Flexible PRN scheduling opportunities
• Collaborative, supportive, and mission-driven culture
• Opportunity to contribute to exceptional outcomes for children and families across the region

 

Apply Today

 

If you're looking for a flexible PRN opportunity where your clinical skills can make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Join Vanderbilt Health and help children move, heal, and thrive.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide treatment as specified on the written treatment plan by the supervising Physical Therapist. Demonstrates ability to:
• Administer various therapeutic modalities according to departmental protocols and guidelines. These include ultrasound, whirlpool, T.E.N.S., biofeedback, hot/cold packs, paraffin baths, electric stimulation, weights, traction, massage and other as indicated.
• Supervise patients in the completion of their exercise and training program to maximize their functional independence.
• Progress the patient in treatment as indicated by the patient's progress in therapy and the treatment plan.
• Respect the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality.
• Provides education to patient, family, health care team and community.
• Assists the physical therapist in planning for the discharge needs of the patient.
• Adapt communication to needs/level of understanding of audience.
• Communicate treatment plan, use of intervention strategies and discharge needs to patient, family and health care team.
• Supervise PTA students.
• Completes timely documentation
• Provide the supervising physical therapist with written information regarding the patient's progress, or lack of progress, as it relates to the treatment plan or session.
• Consistently meet department and VUMC documentation and billing standards.
• Convey essential information in words easily understood by the audience.
• Integral member of the health care team.
• Provide patient updates, give feedback to the supervising physical therapist and other team members.
• Respect roles and professional boundaries of others.
• Contribute to the success of the Team assisting with projects as able

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

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Core Accountabilities:

* Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job. * Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues : Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively : - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation : - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

LIC-Physical Therapy Assistant - Tennessee

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

Less than 1 year

Education:

Associate's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.