Physical Therapist Assistant (Pta) - Acute Care PRN

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.

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Location:

Vanderbilt Tullahoma‑Harton Hospital- Tullahoma, TN

Schedule:

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

8‑hour shifts

Flexible PRN coverage

Schedule provided two weeks in advance

Weekend coverage needed (higher demand)

Job Description

Vanderbilt Tullahoma‑Harton Hospital is seeking a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)- Acute Care PRN to support inpatient physical therapy and acute medical rehabilitation services in a community hospital setting. This PRN opportunity is ideal for a Physical Therapist Assistant with acute-care or hospital‑based experience, or for PTAs with a strong interest in building or expanding acute-care skills within a nationally recognized health system.

The Physical Therapist Assistant- Acute Care PRN works under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist to provide high‑quality inpatient rehabilitation services. This role supports patients with acute medical conditions, post‑surgical recovery needs, functional mobility limitations, and short‑term inpatient therapy plans of care.

This position offers flexible PRN scheduling, predictable shift planning, and collaboration with experienced Physical Therapists in a supportive rural hospital environment.

Key Responsibilities

Provide acute care physical therapy interventions under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist, including functional mobility training, gait training, transfers, therapeutic exercise, and activities of daily living.

Assist adult patients with acute illness, post‑operative recovery, medical complexity, and inpatient rehabilitation needs.

Collaborate effectively with patients, families, nursing staff, physicians, and the interdisciplinary care team.

Document patient treatments, progress, goals, and outcomes in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.

Demonstrate professional conduct aligned with Vanderbilt Health values and the APTA Code of Ethics.

Provide PRN and weekend coverage and adapt to changing patient volumes and acute care staffing needs.

Qualifications

Active Tennessee Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license required.

Experience in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, hospital‑based physical therapy, skilled nursing, or clinical rotations in an acute care setting is preferred.

Strong interest in acute care physical therapy and willingness to learn in a hospital environment.

Effective communication skills and ability to complete timely, accurate clinical documentation.

Ability to work a flexible PRN schedule, including weekend coverage as needed.

Why Vanderbilt Tullahoma‑Harton Hospital

Join Vanderbilt Health, a nationally recognized leader in patient care, inpatient rehabilitation, and acute care physical therapy services.

Work in a supportive, community‑focused hospital where your contributions have a meaningful impact on patient recovery.

Access clinical collaboration, continuing education resources, and professional development within a respected health system.

Be part of a mission‑driven organization committed to excellence in rehabilitation and patient outcomes across Tennessee.

Ready to Apply

Apply today to join Vanderbilt Tullahoma‑Harton Hospital as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)- Acute Care PRN and support high‑quality inpatient physical therapy, mobility restoration, and acute rehabilitation services.

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:

• 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

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.