DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

Professionally I seek to obtain a position as a physical therapist that will allow me to become part of an evidence-based team that strives to meet the needs of each patient. I want to be a well-rounded clinician that is open to feedback and continually demonstrates the desire to learn. No matter the setting, one of my goals is to educate the patient and their families on the role of physical therapy and the positive impact it can have on someone’s quality of life.

Career Plan

• BSE in Kinesiology, University of Arkansas (2001)
• Passed Athletic Training BOC Exam (2001)
• MAE in Exercise Physiology, University of Alabama – Birmingham (2003)
• Elementary and high school public school teacher (2003 – 2013)
• National Board Certified Teacher (2011)
• Began DPT program at UNC (2013)
  • Clinical Rotation I: Stanley Regional Hospital, Albemarle, NC – Outpatient Orthopedic, Underserved; 2014
  • Clinical Rotation II: Total Rehab, Durham, NC – pediatrics in the home setting, neuro; 2015
  • Clinical Rotation III: WakeMed Hospital, Raleigh, NC – Acute care, neuro team; 2015
  • Clinical Rotation IV: UNC REX Nursing Care & Rehabilitation Center, Apex, NC – subacute care; 2016
• Take NPTE (July 2016)
• Complete DPT, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill (August 2016)
• Begin working as a physical therapist (Fall 2016)
• Serve as a clinical instructor (2019)
• Have identified a specific area of interest and be pursuing additional training in that area

Self Assessment

• Strengths
  • Valuable clinical experience as an athletic trainer
  • Experience working with variety of people
  • Ability to build rapport with patients and their families
  • Desire to be part of a team that is evidence-based and patient centered
  • Commitment to being a lifelong learner
• Areas for further development
  • Increase knowledge of and experience with medically complex patients
  • Build professional relationships with other physical therapists
  • Gain experience using manual therapy techniques
  • Increase knowledge of billing, reimbursement and healthcare policy

Objectives

• Improve clinical skills and clinical reasoning during my final clinical rotation in the summer of 2016
• Prepare for and pass NPTE in July 2016
• Graduate from UNC with my DPT in August 2016
• Be employed as a physical therapist in the Triangle area by the fall 2016.
• Begin serving as a clinical instructor in 2019
• Pursue advanced training or begin advanced certification in area of interest by 2020.

Specific Strategies for addressing your development needs and interests.

• Prepare for PT board exam: study groups, practice exams, case studies, review materials
• Gain exposure and experience in various settings to help determine a specific area of interest: clinical rotations, volunteer opportunities, ICE, elective courses
• Build professional relationships with experienced PTs and seek out a mentor: look for a job that encourages mentorship, attend conferences/workshops, maintain professional memberships

Electives and Capstone

• Fall 2015: Integrated Clinical Experience (ICE) PHYT 870 – 1 hr
  • ICE provided an opportunity to gain additional experience in an outpatient setting. Spending time in the clinic with a faculty member allowed for clinical reasoning discussions, in addition to, feedback on manual therapy techniques.
• Fall 2015: Advanced Orthopedic Assessment PHYT 875 – 3 hrs
  • This course helped me gain a better understanding of various tissues in the body, which in turn helped to improve my overall understanding and clinical reasoning. Concepts learned in this course can be applied to patient examination, evaluation, diagnosis and interventions. Final Paper – Frozen Shoulder
• Spring 2016: Independent Study PHYT 800 – 1 hr
  • Gained practical experience administering the Senior Fitness Test, a battery of six tests to assess strength, flexibility and endurance, to older adults at the Jerry M. Passmore Center (formerly the Central Orange Senior Center) in Hillsborough. Provided individualized recommendations for exercise based on the results of the fitness assessment.
• Spring 2016: Tyrrell County Interdisciplinary Service Learning Trip PHYT 896 – 1 hr
  • Worked with students from nursing, PT, public health, and social work to examine the social determinants of health in the underserved population of Tyrrell Co. NC. Facilitated community selected health promotion activities such as health and balance screens at the senior center, implementation of health education lesson plans at local schools and environmental projects in the community. Final Assignment – Course Advertisement Poster
• Doctoral Project/Capstone
  • HINTS Exam: Determining the Cause of Acute Vestibular Syndrome. A learning module for UNC eDPT students before beginning their acute care rotation. Click here to see the full Capstone Project.

Reflection

Three years ago I entered the UNC DPT program and began my journey of making physical therapy my second career. I was excited and nervous about stepping away from a career as a high school athletic trainer and teacher, but I was looking for a different way to serve my community and improve my quality of life. My time at UNC has been demanding and challenging, but most of all it has been rewarding. I miss many aspects of teaching and athletic training, but there is no doubt in my mind that I made the right decision to come back to school.

I have grown both professionally and personally through the various opportunities I have been given. Coursework, clinical rotations, volunteer opportunities, legislative day, service learning trips, conferences, and conversations with faculty, classmates, and patients have all enriched my learning experience. UNC has prepared me with a wealth of knowledge while also instilling the importance of continuing to educate myself as a professional. I realize the importance of surrounding myself with others that strive to provide quality evidence-based care. I also believe there is something I can learn from all of my future co-workers and patients. As my career develops I want to become someone that others can learn from as well.

I have been blessed to be a part of the UNC DPT family. I don’t think it’s possible to express how grateful I am to the faculty and my classmates that have made this experience so rewarding. I’m proud to be a Tar Heel and I will do my best to make the UNC DPT program proud.

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