Physical Therapy Jobs 2026 (Now Hiring) – Smart Auto Apply

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:

Acute Rehab PT/OT 3

Job Summary:

Provides 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 with minimal guidance from a Physical Therapist. Actively collaborates with the health care/educational team to meet patient care, outcomes and system improvement objectives.

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Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)- Acute Care Hospital

Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Schedule: Full‑Time | Monday-Friday with one weekend day per month

Empower Recovery. Transform Lives. Join Vanderbilt Health.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is hiring a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) to support acute care rehabilitation for hospitalized adult patients. In this role, you'll partner closely with Physical Therapists, nurses, and interdisciplinary team members to help patients regain mobility, function, and independence during their hospital stay.

This position offers a structured full‑time schedule, hands‑on patient care, and the opportunity to work in one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.

Why Vanderbilt Health

• Recognized among the Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report

• Day One Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, paid time off, and retirement plans

• Team‑based, collaborative care model with strong PT support

• Opportunities for continued learning, skill development, and career growth

• Work with diverse patient populations across multiple acute care diagnoses

What You'll Do

• Provide hands‑on acute care physical therapy interventions under the direction of a supervising Physical Therapist

• Assist patients with mobility, transfers, gait training, and functional activities

• Support early mobilization and safe progression toward discharge goals

• Educate patients and caregivers on mobility strategies and functional independence

• Document patient progress and treatment outcomes accurately in the medical record

• Collaborate with PTs, nurses, physicians, and care coordinators to support safe discharge planning

Qualifications

Required

• Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

• Experience in adult acute care or strong clinical experience in inpatient, rehab, or hospital‑based settings

• Strong communication, documentation, and teamwork skills

• Passion for patient‑centered rehabilitation

Preferred

• Prior hospital or acute care experience

• Comfort working with medically complex patients

• Interest in continued professional growth within acute care rehabilitation

Benefits

• Competitive pay with comprehensive benefits starting Day One

• Predictable full‑time schedule with limited weekend commitment

• Supportive, interdisciplinary team environment

• Professional development and continuing education opportunities

Ready to Make an Impact?

Apply today and join Vanderbilt Health in delivering exceptional acute care rehabilitation. Help patients move, recover, and return to independence-one step at a time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Applies appropriate, evidence-based interventions to ensure effective outcomes based on the treatment plan of the primary clinician.

• Provides education and employs strategies to promote successful return to home, community, and school/vocational environments.

• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities:

• Rehab PTA/COTA Patient Documentation (Novice): Demonstrates sufficient proficiency in communicating functional impact of assessment findings, treatment interventions, treatment planning diagnosis, and disease process. Considers the communication needs/level of understanding of audience and may share appropriate information/literature.

• Treatment Implementation (Fundamental Awareness): Demonstrates proficiency in providing treatment consistent with physician prescription and established plan of care. Able to modify treatment plan as needed to demonstrate provision of skilled therapy services including progression of treatment throughout course of care, and revision of treatment interventions of goals not met. May supervise and direct certified athletic trainers (PT only), physical therapist / occupational therapist assistants, technicians and volunteers and students. Selects and follows correct protocol for care and utilize evidence based treatments.

• Rehabilitation Patient Education (Fundamental Awareness): Demonstrates proficiency in communicating functional impact of assessment findings, treatment interventions, diagnosis , and disease process. Able to assist the therapist in planning for the discharge needs of the patient. Will adapt communication to needs/level of understanding of audience and share appropriate information/literature. May participate in providing educational experiences and professional development activities.

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.