Physical Therapist - NICU

Vanderbilt University Medical Center • Nashville, TN

16h • Onsite

About The Position

Vanderbilt Health is hiring a Physical Therapist for the neonatal therapy team at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. The position serves premature infants, medically fragile newborns, and other high-risk neonatal patients in a Level IV NICU, within a multidisciplinary, family-centered pediatric acute care environment. The therapist evaluates patients and provides evidence-based treatment under occasional guidance, working with neonatologists, nurses, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, lactation specialists, families, and other care team members to support developmental outcomes.

Clinical work includes neurodevelopmental assessment and intervention, positioning and developmental support, collaboration on feeding readiness, family and caregiver education, discharge planning, transition of care, interdisciplinary treatment planning, and monitoring developmental outcomes. The therapist analyzes assessment findings, establishes and implements plans of care, selects and modifies interventions, documents care, and helps patients transition successfully to home and community settings. The role may also involve supervising or educating assistants, technicians, volunteers, and students.

The schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, with flexible start times and 8-hour shifts. There are no weekend or call requirements; an annual holiday rotation schedule applies. The position is part of Vanderbilt's Pediatric Rehabilitation team, which provides services across neonatal and pediatric populations. The posting describes a comprehensive benefits package that may include health, disability, retirement, and wellness offerings.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program.
• Current or eligible Tennessee Physical Therapy licensure.
• At least 2 years of Physical Therapist experience.
• Pediatric, acute care, or neonatal experience.
• Ability to evaluate patients with physical deficits, select appropriate measures, perform functional assessments, and interpret findings for patients, families, physicians, and the care team.
• Ability to provide skilled treatment consistent with physician prescriptions and plans of care, and modify treatment as needed.
• Proficiency in patient documentation and communicating assessment findings, treatment interventions, and disease-process information.

Nice To Haves

• NICU Physical Therapy experience.
• 3–5 or more years of clinical experience.
• Experience in a Level III or Level IV NICU.
• Developmental care training.
• Experience treating medically fragile infants.

Responsibilities

• Analyze formal and informal assessment information to determine a rehabilitation treatment diagnosis.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to establish the plan of care and coordinate and implement care delivery across the rehabilitation continuum.
• Apply appropriate evidence-based interventions and re-evaluate performance to assess progress toward goals.
• Use strategies to promote successful return to home, community, and school or vocational environments.
• Provide neurodevelopmental assessment and intervention, positioning and developmental support, and collaborate with the care team on feeding readiness.
• Educate families and caregivers and contribute to discharge planning and transitions of care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and monitor developmental outcomes.
• Document care in appropriate templates using approved abbreviations and meet institutional quality and timeliness standards.
• Modify treatment plans and interventions as needed, following the physician prescription and established plan of care.
• Identify the need for and refer patients to other services as appropriate.
• May supervise or direct assistants, technicians, volunteers, and students, and educate or train students from relevant professional programs.

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package that may include health, disability, retirement, and wellness offerings.
• Support for professional growth and continuing education.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level