Pediatric Physical Therapist

Pediatric Physical Therapist

At Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, our Pediatric Rehabilitation team is dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest level of function and independence. We provide specialized care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with a wide range of developmental, neurological, orthopedic, and medically complex conditions.

We are seeking an experienced Pediatric Physical Therapist to join a collaborative team that values clinical excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassionate, family-centered care.

This is not your typical pediatric therapy position. The therapist in this role will primarily provide care within specialty outpatient clinics located in the Doctors' Office Tower while occasionally supporting inpatient rehabilitation needs within Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital.

From developmental delays and orthopedic conditions to complex neurological diagnoses such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy, this position offers broad clinical exposure across multiple pediatric specialties and care settings.

If you're the type of therapist who enjoys learning something new every day, collaborating with specialty teams, and serving as a trusted resource wherever patients need you most, you'll thrive in this role.

What Makes This Role Unique?

• Diverse pediatric caseload with exposure to neurological, developmental, orthopedic, and medically complex diagnoses
• Primarily outpatient practice with occasional inpatient coverage opportunities
• Collaboration with nationally recognized pediatric specialists across multiple disciplines
• Exposure to a broad continuum of pediatric care and specialty services
• Flexible work environment supporting multiple clinic locations and care teams
• Strong interdisciplinary partnerships with physicians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, nurses, social workers, and rehabilitation colleagues
• Opportunities to develop expertise in complex pediatric neurological conditions
• A dynamic role where no two days look exactly the same

Position Summary

This Pediatric Physical Therapist evaluates and treats pediatric patients with impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function resulting from injury, disease, congenital conditions, developmental disorders, and complex medical diagnoses.

The therapist develops individualized treatment plans, provides evidence-based physical therapy interventions, collaborates with multidisciplinary care teams, and serves as an advocate for children and families throughout the rehabilitation journey.

Ideal Candidate

We're seeking a highly adaptable pediatric therapist who enjoys both variety and complexity.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience working with pediatric populations in outpatient and/or hospital settings
• Demonstrate strong clinical reasoning and independent decision-making skills
• Thrive in collaborative, fast-paced environments
• Enjoy supporting multiple specialty programs and interdisciplinary teams
• Be flexible and willing to float between clinic locations and occasional inpatient coverage needs

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program
• Current Tennessee Physical Therapist licensure or eligibility for Tennessee licensure
• Current BLS certification or ability to obtain within established timeframe
• Ability to perform comprehensive evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans
• Strong communication, collaboration, and patient/family education skills
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and patient-centered care

Preferred Clinical Experience

• Spina bifida
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental delay
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Genetic and congenital conditions
• Medically complex pediatric populations
• Mobility and gait disorders
• Orthopedic diagnoses
• Seating, positioning, and adaptive equipment recommendations
• Assistive technology and mobility devices
• Family-centered care and caregiver education

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive physical therapy evaluations and establish individualized plans of care
• Provide evidence-based interventions that improve mobility, strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and functional independence
• Collaborate with physicians and multidisciplinary care teams to optimize patient outcomes
• Educate patients and caregivers regarding treatment strategies, goals, and home programs
• Recommend adaptive equipment, orthotics, and mobility devices when appropriate
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Support patient care across multiple outpatient specialty clinics and occasional inpatient rehabilitation settings
• Participate in departmental initiatives focused on quality, safety, and professional development

Why Vanderbilt Health?

Where Expert Physical Therapists Make Their Greatest Impact

At Vanderbilt Health, our therapists are advocates first. Every treatment plan, every visit, and every interaction is guided by what's best for the child and family. We believe exceptional patient care is built on compassion, collaboration, clinical expertise, and a commitment to helping every patient achieve their fullest potential.

As a Pediatric Physical Therapist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, you'll work alongside nationally recognized pediatric specialists and multidisciplinary teams caring for some of the region's most complex and inspiring patients.

Innovation, Excellence & Impact

Vanderbilt Health continues to advance the future of medicine through groundbreaking patient care, innovative multidisciplinary programs, and record-setting pediatric transplant achievements. These milestones reflect our commitment to collaboration, clinical excellence, and exceptional outcomes for children and families.

Nationally recognized for quality, safety, innovation, and patient-centered care, Vanderbilt Health offers therapists the opportunity to grow professionally while making a meaningful difference every day.

More Than a Job

At Vanderbilt Health, you'll find a workplace where your voice matters, your growth is encouraged, and your expertise is valued.

We support one another like family, challenge each other to be better, and never lose sight of why we're here: improving the lives of children and families, one patient at a time.

If you're a pediatric therapist who loves variety, embraces complexity, and is passionate about delivering exceptional patient-centered care, we'd love to meet you.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center