May 29 2014
Tracy Taylor
Doctoral Portfolio
Professional Goal Statement
My goal is to begin my career as a Physical Therapist in the acute, sub-acute, or outpatient neuromuscular settings. I will utilize evidence-based practice to provide skilled quality care, including wound care, to my patients who present with a wide variety of conditions. I will uphold the clinical and ethical standards as endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association, North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, and Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. I envision working for a company that employs a large team of physical therapists where knowledge is shared and mentorship is facilitated, and the physical therapist team has the flexibility to adapt to the demands of the ever-changing daily schedule.
Career Plan
- Graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree – 8/2014
- Obtain DPT license upon passing the North Carolina PT Boards Exam – 11/2014
- Become gainfully employed in a setting with a large physical therapy team where knowledge is shared and mentorship is facilitated
- Attend continuing education courses specializing in acute care treatment techniques, wound care, neurological disorders, and professional development
- Become a Clinical Instructor for physical therapy students and mentor for new physical therapy graduates/licensees
- Obtain certification in the following areas:
- Wound Care Specialist – 11/2017
- Vestibular Specialist – 11/2018
- NCS Certification – 11/2019
- Multiple Sclerosis or LSVT BIG Certification – 11/2020
- Apply for career development opportunities as they arise
- Become active APTA member at state and national levels
- Provide pro bono services regularly to underserved patients
- Become active member of physical therapy/health and wellness advocacy groups to implement policy recommendations/changes
Self-Assessment
Strengths:
- Ample clinical experience in acute and neuromuscular settings working with adult and pediatric patients experiencing a variety of conditions
- Considerate, courteous, approachable, flexible, and efficient with team members and patients
- Limited clinical experience in wound care working with adult patients
- Strong communication skills and enjoy working within a multidisciplinary and/or trans-disciplinary team
- Skilled and knowledgeable in searching databases, and evidence interpretation and application
- Developed network of professional relationships including physical therapists
- Newly appointed member of Wake County Public Schools School Health Advisory Council (WCPS-SHAC) to advocate for children’s health and wellness
Areas for Professional Development:
- Secure employment in the desired setting
- Increase education and experience in wound care and acute/sub-acute/neuromuscular settings through clinical experience and continuing education courses
- Expand network of professional relationships with physical therapists
- Pursue career development opportunities
- Provide pro bono services regularly to underserved patients
- Develop existing relationships with Wake County Public Schools School Health Advisory Council (WCPS-SHAC) council members
Objectives to Achieve Professional Goals
- Obtain DPT degree and PT license through final course and boards completion and success
- Apply, interview, and accept offer to become employed in the desired setting
- Increase employment experience in acute/sub-acute/neuromuscular settings
- Complete continuing education courses related to acute care treatment techniques, wound care, neurological disorders, and professional development
- Continue approachability, flexibility, and efficiency with team members and patients
- Obtain certifications in areas of wound care and specific neuromuscular diagnoses
- Apply for career development opportunities
- Become active APTA member at state and national levels
- Provide pro bono services to underserved patients
- Collaborate further with WCPS-SHAC council members to submit annual health and wellness recommendations to the Wake County Public Schools Board of Education
Specific Strategies to Accomplish Objectives and Professional Goals
- Continued exposure to and experience with complex patients in the acute care setting, including patients requiring wound care
- Continued effort toward successful completion of final clinical rotation and coursework
- Adherence to study plan for boards examination
- Attend continuing education courses related to acute care treatment techniques, wound care, neurological disorders, and professional development
- Continue approachability, flexibility, and efficiency with team members and patients
- Obtain necessary study materials to become certified in areas of wound care and specific neuromuscular specialty diagnoses
- Join the APTA upon licensure and pursue opportunities for advocacy at state and national levels
- Pursue opportunities to provide pro bono services to underserved patients
- Attend monthly WCPS-SHAC and develop relationships with fellow council members
Doctorate of Physical Therapy Product Examples
Health and Wellness:
The Health and Wellness course prepared me for advocacy in physical therapy through designing a proposal and planning a community-wide intervention for the underserved Native American population in Robeson County, North Carolina. One of my classmates (Joslyn Chavis) and I developed an 18-month diabetes prevention and management education program, the first of its kind benefitting middle aged and older adults, given the high prevalence of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and other minorities and their increased risk for DM and other healthcare disparities including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Doctoral Project:
For my doctoral project I wanted to determine if increased participation in physical education and physical activity in elementary school demonstrated improved academic performance and reduction in obesity and overweight levels as measured through standardized testing, with the hope of disseminating the evidence to the Wake County Public Schools School Health Advisory Council (WCPS-SHAC). I reviewed the evidence and presented it to WCPS-SHAC members, who in turn included my evidence as part of their annual recommendations to the Wake County Public Schools Board of Education to improve health and wellness in elementary, middle, and high school children. Please view my project by visiting the DPT Capstone website at http://dptcapstone.web.unc.edu and clicking my name on the left side of the page.
Statement of Reflection and Assessment of Progress
The last three years have been an amazing, and sometimes tiring, journey for me and my family. I could not have gotten through the rigors of the program at the University of North Carolina without the support of my husband, children, extended family, friends, and professors who were cheering me on every step of the way. I am excited to become a licensed physical therapist and to provide quality care to my patients, and to continue my education further through professional certifications and specialties. I have realized that attaining the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is not the destination but rather the beginning of a lifelong journey as a physical therapist. I look forward to traveling on this journey knowing that the University of North Carolina has well-equipped me for the demands of this profession in addition to positively impacting my patients’ lives. Lastly, I would like to give back to the University of North Carolina’s Physical Therapy Program with both my time and financially. I hope to mentor future students in the program and positively influence their professional goals and objectives as the program has done for me, and contribute annually to the program to ensure future students can have the same opportunities that were afforded to me. I am blessed beyond measure to have had this experience, and finally, GO ‘HEELS!
Tracy- Nice work. You have accomplished so much in these 3short years. The future is bright for you. Mike Gross