Child Abuse Pediatrician in Nashville, TN - Vanderbilt Health

The Department of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is seeking a Board-Certified/Board-Eligible Child Abuse Pediatrician to join the Center for Child Protection & Well-Being, a dynamic and multidisciplinary team committed to excellence in the evaluation and care of children with suspected maltreatment. The Center for Child Protection & Well-Being is a child abuse pediatrics program composed of physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, nutritionists, a program coordinator, and forensic partners at Our Kids. The team provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient evaluations for physical abuse, neglect, failure to thrive, and sexual abuse.

The division is expanding, with growing outpatient services and strategic development in foster-care evaluations, continuity care after discharge, and strengthened community partnerships.

Position Highlights:

• Provide 24/7 consultative coverage for suspected child maltreatment cases across inpatient units, outpatient clinics, urgent care, child protective services, and law enforcement.
• Share call responsibilities with the team, typically one weekend per month; consultations after hours are primarily remote, with on-site evaluation as needed during daytime.
• Perform and supervise inpatient and outpatient clinical evaluations, including forensic medical assessments through Our Kids, a community partner providing exams for suspected sexual abuse.
• Supervise nurse practitioners and collaborate closely with the lead Child Abuse Pediatrician, clinical support staff, and allied professionals.
• Provide education to medical students, residents, fellows, hospital staff, CPS agencies, and law enforcement.
• Participate in regional Child Protection Investigation Teams and Child Death Review meetings, serving as an expert witness in court proceedings as needed.
• Support the division’s clinical growth, including expanding outpatient services and developing foster-care–focused care pathways.

Qualifications:

• MD/DO degree and Board Certification/Eligibility in Child Abuse Pediatrics.
• Eligible for Tennessee medical licensure.
• Fellowship training in Child Abuse Pediatrics required.
• Demonstrated excellence in clinical care, communication, multidisciplinary collaboration, and education.
• Strong interest for candidates with experience or interest in:
  • Clinical leadership or medical directorship
  • Program development and improving clinical operations
  • Education and community engagement (CPS, law enforcement, medical school)

Why Vanderbilt?

• Join a mission-driven institution committed to clinical excellence, teaching, research, and child protection.
• Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is a 343-bed hospital serving Tennessee, southern Kentucky, and northern Alabama, and is home to the region’s only Level 1 pediatric trauma center.
• The Department of Pediatrics, home to ~500 faculty, consistently ranks among the top 10 U.S. departments in NIH funding, offering unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, scholarship, and professional growth
• Nashville is a thriving, family-friendly city recognized for its culture, outdoor activities, educational opportunities, and vibrant arts and music scene.

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.

International medical graduates seeking to apply for available physician positions must be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), must have passed the United States medical licensing examinations (USMLE Step 1 and Step 2), must have completed a United States based residency even if they have completed a residency or practiced medicine in another country, and must be legally authorized to work in the United States.