Pediatric Physical Therapist

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 Out

Job Summary:

• JOB SUMMARY
• Provides physical therapy services to patients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease or other causes under occasional guidance. Actively collaborates with the health care/educational team to meet patient care, outcomes and system improvement objectives.

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Pediatric Physical Therapist

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

Doctors' Office Tower & Children's Hospital Coverage | Nashville, TN

Discover Vanderbilt Health

At Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, our Pediatric Rehabilitation team is dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest level of function and independence. We provide specialized care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with a wide range of developmental, neurological, orthopedic, and medically complex conditions.

We are seeking an experienced Pediatric Physical Therapist to join a collaborative team that values clinical excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassionate, family-centered care.

Love Variety? This May Be the Pediatric PT Role You've Been Looking For.

This is not your typical pediatric therapy position.

The therapist in this role will primarily provide care within specialty outpatient clinics located in the Doctors' Office Tower while occasionally supporting inpatient rehabilitation needs within Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital.

From developmental delays and orthopedic conditions to complex neurological diagnoses such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy, this position offers broad clinical exposure across multiple pediatric specialties and care settings.

If you're the type of therapist who enjoys learning something new every day, collaborating with specialty teams, and serving as a trusted resource wherever patients need you most, you'll thrive in this role.

What Makes This Role Unique?

Diverse pediatric caseload with exposure to neurological, developmental, orthopedic, and medically complex diagnoses

Primarily outpatient practice with occasional inpatient coverage opportunities

Collaboration with nationally recognized pediatric specialists across multiple disciplines

Exposure to a broad continuum of pediatric care and specialty services

Flexible work environment supporting multiple clinic locations and care teams

Strong interdisciplinary partnerships with physicians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, nurses, social workers, and rehabilitation colleagues

Opportunities to develop expertise in complex pediatric neurological conditions

A dynamic role where no two days look exactly the same

Position Summary

This Pediatric Physical Therapist evaluates and treats pediatric patients with impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function resulting from injury, disease, congenital conditions, developmental disorders, and complex medical diagnoses.

The therapist develops individualized treatment plans, provides evidence-based physical therapy interventions, collaborates with multidisciplinary care teams, and serves as an advocate for children and families throughout the rehabilitation journey.

Ideal Candidate

We're seeking a highly adaptable pediatric therapist who enjoys both variety and complexity.

The ideal candidate will:

Have experience working with pediatric populations in outpatient and/or hospital settings

Demonstrate strong clinical reasoning and independent decision-making skills

Thrive in collaborative, fast-paced environments

Enjoy supporting multiple specialty programs and interdisciplinary teams

Be flexible and willing to float between clinic locations and occasional inpatient coverage needs

Required Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program

Current Tennessee Physical Therapist licensure or eligibility for Tennessee licensure

Current BLS certification or ability to obtain within established timeframe

Ability to perform comprehensive evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans

Strong communication, collaboration, and patient/family education skills

Commitment to evidence-based practice and patient-centered care

Preferred Clinical Experience

Particular interest will be given to candidates with experience in:

Spina bifida

Cerebral palsy

Developmental delay

Neuromuscular disorders

Genetic and congenital conditions

Medically complex pediatric populations

Mobility and gait disorders

Orthopedic diagnoses

Seating, positioning, and adaptive equipment recommendations

Assistive technology and mobility devices

Family-centered care and caregiver education

Key Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive physical therapy evaluations and establish individualized plans of care

Provide evidence-based interventions that improve mobility, strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and functional independence

Collaborate with physicians and multidisciplinary care teams to optimize patient outcomes

Educate patients and caregivers regarding treatment strategies, goals, and home programs

Recommend adaptive equipment, orthotics, and mobility devices when appropriate

Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation

Support patient care across multiple outpatient specialty clinics and occasional inpatient rehabilitation settings

Participate in departmental initiatives focused on quality, safety, and professional development

Why Vanderbilt Health?

Where Expert Physical Therapists Make Their Greatest Impact

At Vanderbilt Health, our therapists are advocates first. Every treatment plan, every visit, and every interaction is guided by what's best for the child and family. We believe exceptional patient care is built on compassion, collaboration, clinical expertise, and a commitment to helping every patient achieve their fullest potential.

As a Pediatric Physical Therapist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, you'll work alongside nationally recognized pediatric specialists and multidisciplinary teams caring for some of the region's most complex and inspiring patients.

Innovation, Excellence & Impact

Vanderbilt Health continues to advance the future of medicine through groundbreaking patient care, innovative multidisciplinary programs, and record-setting pediatric transplant achievements. These milestones reflect our commitment to collaboration, clinical excellence, and exceptional outcomes for children and families.

Nationally recognized for quality, safety, innovation, and patient-centered care, Vanderbilt Health offers therapists the opportunity to grow professionally while making a meaningful difference every day.

More Than a Job

At Vanderbilt Health, you'll find a workplace where your voice matters, your growth is encouraged, and your expertise is valued.

We support one another like family, challenge each other to be better, and never lose sight of why we're here: improving the lives of children and families, one patient at a time.

If you're a pediatric therapist who lo