DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

Upon graduating from UNC and passing the NPTE, I plan to utilize the skills and knowledge I have gained working at an outpatient orthopedic clinic. My time spent on clinicals has taught me that experience is one of the best ways to further develop as a clinician. I intend to continue learning from other professionals as well as from my own endeavors to provide the best treatment possible. I will work in a private practice as this setting combines several interests including business development and clinical reasoning. I also intend to leverage my experience as a personal trainer, CrossFit coach, and competitive athlete and focus my work on sports orthopedics. While I enjoy working with all populations, I hope to primarily treat athletes and active individuals. Regardless of the patient I am treating, I look forward to the opportunity to help others move more effectively so they can continue to work towards their own goals.

Career Plan

• Clinical Experience
  • June 2022 – July 2022: UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC – acute care
  • February 2023 – April 2023: Bull City Physical Therapy, Durham, NC – outpatient orthopedic
  • April 2023 – June 2023: Atrium Health Cabarrus Pediatric Therapy, Concord, NC – neuromuscular outpatient pediatric
  • April 2024-July 2024: Architech Sports and Physical Therapy, Mooresville, NC – outpatient orthopedic
• Future Goals
  • July 2024: sit for NPTE and graduate from UNC
  • Fall of 2024: begin working full time as a PT
  • 2026-2028: become an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor and become a Certified Orthopedic Specialist
  • 2029 and beyond: open my own PT practice

Objectives

• Complete final clinical affiliation at a sports PT clinic
• Pass NPTE in July 2024 to become a licensed physical therapist
• Graduate from UNC DPT
• Attain Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certificate
• Obtain job at a private practice by applying for jobs in the summer and early fall of 2024

Self Assessment

• Strengths
  • Communication with patients and other professionals
  • Establishing working relationships with patients
  • Work ethic and time management
• Areas for development
  • Involvement in political advocacy
  • More effective evaluation and treatment for patients with complex conditions
  • Self-confidence as a clinician

Electives

• Fall 2023
  • Advance Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment
  • Advanced Spanish for Health Professionals
• Spring 2024
  • Topics in Sports Physical Therapy

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

One theme that came up repeatedly in the classroom and clinical settings was that of accessibility. This theme can apply to physical, financial, psychological, or social barriers. These obstacles can hinder an individual’s ability to access care or access the necessary resources to find fulfillment in their lives. I had the privilege of participating in several experiences that furthered my understanding of the issues related to accessibility such as visiting a durable medical equipment provider and a company that offers adaptive vehicles. I realized the important position that we as physical therapists have in regards to helping to improve accessibility. In addition, I realized that there are countless ways that we can all actively strive towards improving accessibility regardless of the setting that we choose to work in. This could include advocacy efforts, community outreach programs, providing the necessary educational resources, and working within the current constraints of the healthcare system as we provide high quality care to as many individuals as possible. My experiences at UNC have taught me to look for issues of accessibility and identify how I can address them. I intend to use my position among healthcare professionals to advocate for individuals to find and access the resources they need.

Interprofessional Education Activities

With UNC being part of a major hospital system and being a research-intensive university, there was no shortage of opportunities both in the clinic and the classroom to gain exposure to new ideas and the perspectives from different professions. Some of these experiences included opportunities to discuss treatment approaches with students in the occupational therapy program at UNC. I also had the privilege of working with occupational therapists in clinical settings while on my rotations. Finally, I was able to observe and have discussions with individuals who are part of the athletic training or strength and conditioning staff for collegiate sports teams. All of these experiences have served as significant learning experiences during my time at UNC. I gained a much deeper understanding regarding the various methodologies each of these professions use in order to achieve their goals. In addition, I was able to learn how these approaches can serve to complement one another in order to optimize outcomes. Most importantly, I have honed the tools necessary to be an active member of an interprofessional team and continue to learn more about the various professions that can ultimately influence patient care.

Product Examples

• Capstone Evidence Write-up
• CAT

Reflective Statement

I am very grateful for my time at UNC. I have gained a great deal of knowledge through my studies and course work. With this knowledge, I am confident in my ability to face countless situations in my professional career. Additionally, I have gained the skills necessary to solve novel, complex problems by asking questions and using the resources at my disposal. Through my clinical experience, I have had the opportunity to grow as a clinician. I have been exposed to several treatment settings and can apply different approaches from each setting  in a way that makes me a much more effective clinician. Finally, I have experienced personal growth that has taught me that success is not something that is achieved once. Graduation, while an important step in my journey, does not indicate success. In reality, success is a continuous journey. Instead, it is found in the constant pursuit of improvement. It is determined by setting goals and working until they are met, only to continue working towards the next goal. There is always more we can learn or do to improve. It is this lesson that is arguably the most important and will help us all as we begin our careers and change the lives of our patients for the better.

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