Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Acute Care

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Clarksville (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital in Clarksville, TN, is seeking a Physical Therapist Assistant to join our rehabilitation team. This role is approximately 80% Acute Care and 20% Inpatient Rehabilitation, serving a diverse adult population across recovery stages.

Under the supervision of a Physical Therapist, you will implement treatment plans, guide exercises, monitor progress, document care, and collaborate with nurses and physicians to support safe recovery.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
• Current Tennessee PTA license or eligibility for licensure.
• Current BLS certification or ability to obtain within required timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Implement treatment plans developed by a licensed Physical Therapist.
• Provide therapeutic exercise, gait training, transfer training, balance activities, and functional mobility interventions.
• Monitor patient response to treatment and communicate progress to the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Collaborate with nursing, rehabilitation professionals, physicians, and care management teams.
• Educate patients and caregivers on mobility, safety, and equipment use.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in accordance with hospital standards.

Skills

Licensed PTA Tennessee

BLS certified

Teamwork

Education

Associate's

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health

With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world‑class care to the people of the Mid‑South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization

VCH Physical Therapy

Job Summary

The Physical Therapy Assistant administers therapeutic techniques and interventions designed to improve, maintain, or restore function for individuals affected by age, injury, disease, or congenital conditions. This role focuses on providing safe, effective, and evidence-based therapy services to support patient recovery and independence.

Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital

Clarksville, TN

Full-Time | 40 Hours/Week

Weekend Requirement: One Saturday or Sunday per month

Join Our Rehabilitation Team

Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital is seeking a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) to join our rehabilitation team. This position is approximately 80% Acute Care and 20% Inpatient Rehabilitation, providing the opportunity to work with a diverse adult patient population across multiple stages of recovery.

Patient Population

• Medical-Surgical Units
• Progressive Care/Step-Down Units
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Orthopedic and General Surgery Patients
• Neurologic and Medically Complex Adult Populations
• Inpatient Rehabilitation

Responsibilities

• Implement treatment plans developed by a licensed Physical Therapist.
• Provide therapeutic exercise, gait training, transfer training, balance activities, and functional mobility interventions.
• Monitor patient response to treatment and communicate progress to the supervising Physical Therapist.
• Collaborate with nursing, rehabilitation professionals, physicians, and care management teams.
• Educate patients and caregivers on mobility, safety, and equipment use.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in accordance with hospital standards.

Why Vanderbilt Clarksville?

• Diverse patient population across Acute Care and Inpatient Rehabilitation.
• Opportunity to build skills treating medically complex adult patients.
• Supportive, collaborative rehabilitation team focused on excellent patient outcomes.
• Typical productivity expectations of approximately 10 patients per day in Acute Care and 3-4 patients per day in Inpatient Rehabilitation.
• Access to Vanderbilt Health resources, professional development, and evidence-based practice.
• Benefits eligible on Day One.

Qualifications

Required

• Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
• Current Tennessee PTA license or eligibility for licensure.
• Current BLS certification or ability to obtain within required timeframe.

Preferred

• Acute Care, Inpatient Rehabilitation, or hospital-based rehabilitation experience.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and patient-centered care skills.

About Vanderbilt Health

Through Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital, patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care close to home while benefiting from the expertise, innovation, and professional resources of Vanderbilt Health. Our rehabilitation team is committed to helping patients maximize function, restore independence, and safely return to the activities that matter most.

Vanderbilt Health. Personalized Care. Close to Home.

Key Responsibilities

• Implements therapeutic interventions that focus on posture, balance, locomotion, strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, pain management, and daily functional abilities.
• Administers treatment methods and modalities under the direct supervision of a Physical Therapist, ensuring they align with current physical therapy practices.
• Monitors patient progress and provides timely feedback to the supervising Physical Therapist regarding patient responses and treatment effectiveness.
• Provides patient education on therapeutic exercises, techniques, and self-management strategies that promote recovery and improve function.
• Ensures treatment approaches are tailored to the patient’s age, developmental level, cultural background, and individual goals.
• Completes clear, concise, and accurate documentation of patient care, including treatment plans, interventions, progress notes, and discharge recommendations, adhering to organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with an interdisciplinary healthcare team to ensure a coordinated approach to patient care, including participation in discharge planning and recommendations for ongoing therapy or supportive services.
• Maintains a clean and safe environment for patients and staff by adhering to infection control and safety protocols.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings. These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid‑South. Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job. * Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.

Core Capabilities

Supporting Colleagues : Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information and communication in clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively : - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation : - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications

Certifications

LIC-Physical Therapy Assistant - Tennessee

Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level

Less than 1 year

Education

Associate's

Benefits

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well‑being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.