Administer physical therapy interventions such as mobility and gait training for adult patients in an acute care setting. Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to support inpatient rehabilitation plans and maintain accurate patient documentation.
Requirements summary
Requires an active Tennessee Physical Therapist Assistant license and an associate degree. Experience in acute care or hospital-based therapy is preferred, along with the ability to work a flexible PRN schedule.
associate degreeprofessional certificateTransfersInterdisciplinary CollaborationActivities Of Daily LivingPatient DocumentationAcute CareTherapeutic ExercisePatient-Centered CareGait TrainingInpatient RehabilitationMobility Training
Job description
Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
Organization
Physical
Therapy
Job
Summary: JOB SUMMARY Responsible for administering and directing appropriate Physical Therapy interventions as prescribed by a qualified physician and directed by a licensed Physical Therapist. Responsible for effective communication and accurate documentation. Displays professional behavior in accordance with APTA Code of Ethics and CHS philosophy of service. . Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) –
PRN
Acute
Care
Location: Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital – Tullahoma, TN Looking for a PRN Physical Therapist Assistant role with flexibility and clinical quality? Join Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital as a PRN Physical Therapist Assistant supporting acute care and inpatient rehabilitation in a collaborative hospital setting. This opportunity offers flexible PRN scheduling, acute care hospital experience, and a manageable pace in a low-traffic, easy-commute environment. It is an excellent fit for PTAs seeking hospital-based experience without the volume and intensity of larger metro facilities.
Schedule 8-hour shifts from 8:00
AM to 4:30 PM Flexible PRN coverage based on department needs Schedule provided approximately two weeks in advance Weekend coverage opportunities are available with higher demand
About the Role
As a PRN Physical Therapist Assistant in acute care, you will deliver inpatient physical therapy services under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist. You will treat adult patients experiencing acute medical conditions, post-surgical recovery needs, mobility limitations, and short-term rehabilitation goals focused on restoring independence. This role is ideal for Physical Therapist Assistants with acute care or hospital experience, as well as those interested in transitioning to an acute care skill set. Key Responsibilities Provide physical therapy interventions under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist including mobility training, gait training, transfers, therapeutic exercise, and activities of daily living Support inpatient rehabilitation plans of care for adult patients with acute illness or post-operative recovery needs Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members including therapists, nurses, and physicians Document treatments, patient progress, and outcomes according to hospital and regulatory standards Deliver compassionate, patient-centered care during critical stages of recovery Provide PRN coverage including weekend shifts as needed Qualifications Active Tennessee Physical Therapist Assistant license required Experience in acute care, hospital-based therapy, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or relevant clinical rotations preferred Strong interest in acute care physical therapy Ability to work a flexible PRN schedule including weekend coverage Effective communication and documentation skills Why Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital Part of Vanderbilt Health, a nationally recognized leader in patient care and rehabilitation services Supportive, team-oriented environment with close collaboration between therapists and interdisciplinary partners Opportunity to gain experience in acute care and inpatient rehab within a respected health system Lower patient volume environment supporting quality care and work-life balance Convenient location with easy commute and minimal traffic Access to continuing education and professional development resources Who Thrives in This Role Successful candidates enjoy working in a collaborative hospital environment, value flexibility in their schedule, adapt well to a variety of patient conditions, and are committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Apply Today Apply to join Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital as a PRN Physical Therapist Assistant and support patients in regaining mobility, independence, and confidence during critical stages of recovery. 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. Core Accountabilities:
Benefits
Disability Insurance
Health Insurance
Wellness Offerings
Retirement Offerings
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. PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF ALL WE DO. Our vision: The world leader in advancing personalized health. Our mission: personalizing the patient experience through our caring spirit and distinctive capabilities. Making Health Care Personal. We’re looking for like-minded individuals driven to make a difference. We invite you to explore careers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. At VUMC, we place a priority on designing with and for our patients and families. We value collaboration, embrace continuous learning and discovery, and seek to be a place where everyone has the chance to thrive. We’re the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee, with a growing team and expanding footprint in towns and communities across the region. We employ more than 28,000 people who work in inpatient and outpatient clinical care, research, and graduate medical education as well as critical supporting roles in administration, information technology and informatics, finance, legal and community affairs, communications and marketing, fund-raising, groundskeeping and facilities, and many more. Our growing health system has more than 1,700 licensed hospital beds at: Vanderbilt University Hospital Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital It’s also home to hundreds of outpatient clinic and surgical locations throughout the region. We serve our community with many unique and specialized services including the Level 1 Trauma Center, a highly experienced Transplant Center that does the most heart transplants in the world, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lung Institute, Burn Center and many more. World-leading academic departments and centers make scientific discoveries, advance clinical care and train the next generation of health care professionals. Our robust research enterprise consistently ranks among the highest in the country as measured by peer-reviewed grant funding from the National Institutes of Health. We’re honored to be consistently considered among the nation’s best hospitals, including being nationally ranked in multiple medical specialties for treating the most complex conditions in adults and children by US News and World Report. Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt ranked as the No. 1 children’s hospital in the southeast in 2024. We support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at VUMC for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose. Join us in Making Health Care Personal.
