• Physical Therapist (PT) Pediatric Clinical Team Lead

About the role

Leads a team of assigned staff members and actively participates in overall management of the department, development of clinical practice standards, and provision of patient-focused delivery of care and services with accountabilities for implementation and outcomes for people leadership, quality, service, compliance, finance, throughput and scheduling. Ensures the department's optimal performance during each assigned shift and within their team of direct reports by engaging in effective problem solving with lab staff and other departments, assuring performance standards for patient care are met, and developing/leading the assigned team. Provides feedback and coaching to staff members, recognizing them for their contributions while fostering a high performance culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct pediatric outpatient physical therapy services
• Lead, mentor, and support Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Coordinators
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and professional development initiatives
• Partner with leadership to address staffing, scheduling, and workflow needs
• Promote evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, engagement, and inclusion
• Support program development and strategic growth initiatives
• Drive exceptional patient experiences and clinical outcomes
• Supervises day-to-day performance of staff through ongoing assessment and coaching to achieve goals
• Completes formal evaluation of direct reports
• Supports leadership team in development of staff members by providing substantive feedback
• Demonstrates clinical/technical knowledge needed to coach staff on day-to-day activities
• Implements rehab-specific policies and practice guidelines in accordance with VUMC policy and regulatory standards using standardized tools and instruments

Leadership scope

• Directly lead 2 Physical Therapist Coordinators
• Support and develop 15 full-time Physical Therapists and 3 PRN Physical Therapists
• Maintain an active pediatric outpatient caseload
• Partner with rehabilitation leadership on staffing, operations, quality initiatives, and program development
• Foster team engagement, professional growth, and clinical excellence

Technical capabilities

• Quality Management (Novice): Provides continuous analysis and evaluation of assignment work processes, striving for improvement; participates in establishing, communicating, and monitoring standards for quality and excellence; works to improve current business processes, products, or services.
• Business Results (Fundamental Awareness): Implements measures for attaining business results, tracks progress toward goals and objectives, delivers products and services on time and within budget, focuses on quality, responds effectively to customer needs, and communicates incipient problems to management.
• People Management (Novice): Conducts performance reviews, delegates tasks effectively, coaches subordinates on technical and interpersonal topics and professional development, demonstrates team-building techniques, provides leadership through personal example, involves subordinates in decisions affecting them, and demonstrates self-reliance and resourcefulness.
• Operations Planning (Novice): Anticipates resource needs, sets priorities, defines dependencies, schedules activities, meets deadlines, organizes work within areas of direct responsibility, matches equipment and capital resources to task demands, achieves results within budget, handles multiple assignments simultaneously, reshapes projects as needed, breaks down work into manageable units, accepts changes with minimal disruption, uses time efficiently, and follows up to ensure resolution of problems.
• Compliance (Novice): Explains and applies basic statutory instructions in normal situations; understands the principles behind rules and regulations; escalates problems relating to rules and regulations in a timely and effective manner.
• Leadership (Novice): Sets an example in challenging situations; demonstrates different leadership styles as required; communicates team and unit goals clearly; is receptive to ideas and suggestions; shows leadership and initiative without supervision.

Core accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Plans and sets day-to-day objectives for the team that directly affect departmental results.
• Problem Solving/Complexity of Work: Resolves technical and operational problems within provided guidelines.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Applies advanced subject matter knowledge within a specific technical area and basic management knowledge to support the team.
• Team Interaction: Leads/supervises a unit within a department or a small department, typically without budget or hire/fire authority; role is typically a "working" supervisor.

Core capabilities

• Supporting Colleagues:
  • Develops Self and Others: Invests time and energy in developing self and others to improve performance and gain knowledge in new areas.
  • Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to strengthen relationships.
  • Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies communication style to suit different situations and audiences.
• Delivering Excellent Services:
  • Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of stakeholders and customizes services accordingly.
  • Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; identifies new possibilities and develops concrete solutions.
  • Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner.

About the Pediatric Outpatient Rehabilitation Team

The Pediatric Outpatient Rehabilitation team at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks provides comprehensive, family-centered care for children with developmental, neurological, orthopedic, genetic, and complex medical conditions. Physical Therapists collaborate closely with physicians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, social workers, educators, and families to help children maximize function, independence, and participation in everyday life. This is a highly experienced, collaborative, and clinically respected team known for delivering exceptional outcomes for children and families across Middle Tennessee and beyond.

Requirements

• Licensed Physical Therapist (or eligible for Tennessee licensure)
• Significant Pediatric Outpatient Physical Therapy experience
• Proven leadership and mentoring skills
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
• Commitment to family-centered care and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Strong clinical and operational judgment

Why PT Leaders Choose Vanderbilt Health

At Vanderbilt Health, you'll continue making a direct impact on children and families while helping develop therapists, strengthen team performance, and advance pediatric rehabilitation services within a nationally recognized health system.

Benefits

• Benefits begin Day One
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
• Leadership development opportunities
• Continuing education support
• Career advancement within a nationally recognized health system
• Collaborative, mission-driven culture
• Access to leading pediatric specialists and rehabilitation professionals
• Commitment to innovation, clinical excellence, and patient-centered care