Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) - Pediatric Acute Care PRN
About The Position
The Physical Therapist Assistant provides physical therapy treatment to patients with impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes. In this PRN pediatric acute care role at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, the PTA provides skilled therapy to infants, children, and adolescents and collaborates with the supervising Physical Therapist and interdisciplinary care team to support recovery, functional independence, and patient outcomes. Treatment includes implementing individualized plans focused on mobility, strength, balance, endurance, and functional independence; assisting with transfers, gait training, therapeutic exercise, and developmental mobility; and administering therapeutic modalities according to departmental protocols. The PTA educates patients, families, caregivers, health care teams, and community members; contributes to discharge planning; documents treatment and progress; and communicates patient updates to the supervising Physical Therapist and team. The role also includes supervising PTA students and contributing to team projects as able. Coverage is PRN with variable weekday and weekend scheduling.
Requirements
- Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program.
- Associate's degree in Physical Therapist Assisting.
- Current Tennessee PTA license or eligibility to obtain one before employment.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills.
- Ability to adapt communication to the needs and level of understanding of the audience.
- Passion for family-centered pediatric care.
Nice To Haves
- Previous pediatric, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, or hospital-based experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provide treatment specified in the written treatment plan under the direction of the supervising Physical Therapist.
- Administer therapeutic modalities according to departmental protocols, including ultrasound, whirlpool, T.E.N.S., biofeedback, hot and cold packs, paraffin baths, electrical stimulation, weights, traction, and massage.
- Supervise patients completing exercise and training programs to maximize functional independence.
- Progress treatment according to the patient's progress and treatment plan.
- Assist patients with transfers, gait training, therapeutic exercise, and developmental mobility activities.
- Educate patients, families, caregivers, the health care team, and the community on safe mobility, intervention strategies, and discharge needs.
- Assist the Physical Therapist with planning patient discharge needs.
- Communicate treatment plans, intervention strategies, discharge needs, and patient updates to patients, families, the supervising Physical Therapist, and other team members.
- Collaborate with physicians, nurses, child life specialists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other team members.
- Respect patient privacy and confidentiality, as well as the roles and professional boundaries of colleagues.
- Supervise PTA students.
- Complete timely and accurate documentation and meet department and VUMC documentation and billing standards.
- Provide the supervising Physical Therapist with written information about patient progress or lack of progress in relation to the treatment plan or session.
- Contribute to team success and assist with projects as able.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package that may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings.
- Flexible PRN scheduling opportunities.
- Opportunity for professional growth.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
