Physical Therapist – Acute Care

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is seeking a Full-Time Physical Therapist – Acute Care to join their rehabilitation team in Nashville, Tennessee. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about acute care and looking to grow their skills in a dynamic hospital setting. The position is at a Level 1 Trauma Center known for clinical excellence, collaboration, and innovation. The Physical Therapist will provide evidence-based evaluations and treatment for hospitalized patients across diverse settings, including ICU and emergency departments. They will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, educate patients and families, document care, and contribute to departmental initiatives. VUMC's mission is to advance health and wellness through patient care, education, and research, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist (or eligible) in the state of Tennessee
Has completed at least one year of clinical experience in treatment implementation.
Demonstrates sufficient proficiency in developing a plan of care that incorporates treatment interventions focused on meeting objective goals.
Develops and documents patient focused short and long term goals that are functional and measurable.
Identifies the need for and referral to other services, as needed.
Demonstrates proficiency in evaluating patients with physical deficits including impairments, developmental disabilities, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function by obtaining information pertinent to the assessment and administering and scoring standardized tests and objective measures of deficit areas.
Selects appropriate measures and performs a functional assessment to document patient's status requiring skilled therapy.
Interprets the results of the assessment and their significance to the patient, family, referring physician and other members of the health care team.
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.
Demonstrates proficiency in documentation practices.
Documents in the appropriate templates and utilizes only approved abbreviations within patient documentation.
Meets institutional standards for quality and timeliness of documentation.
Demonstrates 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.
May supervise, educate and train students from professional programs of physical therapy, occupational therapy and athletic training.
Strong communication skills and commitment to team-based, patient-centered care.

Nice To Haves

Acute care or hospital experience preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Analyzes comprehensive information from formal and informal assessment that is pertinent to the patient's care and management to determine a rehabilitation treatment diagnosis.
Collaborates with stakeholders in establishing the plan of care, coordinates and implements care delivery while anticipating patient care needs across the rehabilitation continuum.
Applies appropriate, evidence-based interventions to ensure effective outcomes and re-evaluates performance to assess patient's progress towards goals.
Employs strategies to promote successful return to home, community, and school/vocational environments.
Provide evidence-based evaluations and treatment for hospitalized patients.
Deliver care across diverse settings, including ICU and emergency department.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop patient-centered care plans.
Educate patients and families on mobility, safety, and discharge planning.
Document care in accordance with hospital and regulatory standards.
Contribute to mentorship, quality improvement, and departmental initiatives.