Physical Therapist – Acute Care

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: JOB SUMMARY Provides physical therapy services to patients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease or other causes under occasional guidance. Actively collaborates with the health care/educational team to meet patient care, outcomes and system improvement objectives. . Physical Therapist – Acute Care Location: Vanderbilt Health | Nashville, TN Schedule: Full-Time | Includes 2 weekend days per month Where Expert Physical Therapists Make Their Greatest Impact Vanderbilt Health is seeking an experienced Acute Care Physical Therapist to join one of the nation's leading academic health systems. This is an opportunity to practice alongside nationally recognized physicians, nurses, and rehabilitation professionals while caring for medically complex patients across a Level 1 Trauma Center. If you're looking for an environment that values clinical expertise, collaboration, and evidence-based practice, you'll find it here. At Vanderbilt Health, physical therapists are trusted clinical partners. They are advocates, educators, problem-solvers, and essential members of the care team who help patients take the first steps toward recovery while influencing outcomes across the continuum of care. Be part of an organization redefining what's possible in healthcare. Vanderbilt Health is home to the nation's largest transplant center by volume and continues to set records for life-saving care, groundbreaking innovation, and exceptional patient outcomes. Most importantly, we believe healthcare is personal. Our rehabilitation professionals are empowered to provide individualized, evidence-based care that puts patients before productivity metrics. Here, therapists are trusted to apply their clinical judgment, collaborate as valued members of the interdisciplinary team, and focus on what matters most, helping patients achieve meaningful outcomes. Why Experienced Therapists Choose Vanderbilt Health Practice at the Top of Your License – Clinical expertise is respected and valued throughout the organization. Complex and Diverse Patient Populations – Gain experience caring for patients across trauma, transplant, critical care, neuroscience, oncology, cardiology, and specialty medicine services. Patient-First Culture – Focus on quality outcomes and individualized care in an environment that prioritizes patients over productivity metrics. Collaborative Interdisciplinary Teams – Work alongside some of the region's most respected physicians, nurses, therapists, and healthcare professionals. Clinical Growth Without Limits – Advance through a structured Clinical Career Ladder with opportunities for leadership, mentorship, education, and program development. Nationally Recognized Excellence – Join a health system known for innovation, research, and world-class patient care. Your Impact as an Acute Care Physical Therapist Perform evidence-based evaluations and treatment interventions for hospitalized patients with complex medical and surgical conditions. Provide care across diverse inpatient settings, including intensive care units, step-down units, specialty services, and emergency care environments. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized plans that optimize mobility, function, safety, and discharge outcomes. Apply advanced clinical reasoning to assess patient progress and modify treatment plans accordingly. Educate patients and caregivers on mobility strategies, equipment recommendations, fall prevention, and safe discharge planning. Document care in accordance with hospital and regulatory standards. Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, mentorship activities, and departmental advancement. Qualifications Licensed Physical Therapist (or license-eligible) in the State of Tennessee. Minimum of 2 years of acute care or hospital-based physical therapy experience preferred. Strong clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. Commitment to collaborative, patient-centered care. Passion for continuous learning and clinical excellence. Ready for What's Next? If you're an experienced acute care therapist looking for greater clinical complexity, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, and a culture that values both expertise and patient advocacy, Vanderbilt Health offers the opportunity to make your greatest impact. Apply today and join a team that's helping redefine the future of healthcare. KEY 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 prom