DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

My goal is to work in an outpatient, physical therapist-owned practice in North Carolina, specializing in orthopedics with an emphasis on evidence-based manual therapy.  I plan on completing an orthopedic residency program and becoming an orthopedic clinical specialist and clinical instructor.  I would also like to use my physical therapy skills abroad by traveling to other countries on service trips.

 

Career Plan

May 2011: Earn my Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science degree from Wake Forest University*

July 2014: Pass the NPTE; become licensed

August 2014: Earn my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from UNC-Chapel Hill

September 2014: Begin working at an outpatient orthopedic clinic

2016-2017: Complete an orthopedic residency program

2017: Sit for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) exam

2018: Become a clinical instructor

2018-2028: Travel abroad once every 2 years on physical therapy service trips

* = completed

 

Self Assessment

Strengths:

• Passion for the physical therapy profession
• Strong exercise science background
• Gained invaluable experience on two outpatient orthopedic clinical rotations and one outpatient neuro clinical rotation
• General knowledge of evaluation and treatment of orthopedic conditions
• Have traveled to multiple countries throughout Central and South America on service trips

Areas for Professional Development:

• Advanced manual therapy skills
• Critical thinking with complex patient cases
• Expand knowledge of orthopedic intervention and treatment ideas
• Develop working relationships with local physicians
• Implement evidence-based treatment into patient care

 

Objectives

1. Study for and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam in order to become a licensed physical therapist in North Carolina.
2. Graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill with my DPT.
3. Complete orthopedic residency program to further my orthopedic knowledge and advanced skills.
4. Study for and pass the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist exam.
5. Become a clinical instructor.

 

Specific Strategies

1. Prepare for the NPTE by utilizing various study strategies and taking practice exams.
2. Identify an experienced therapist at my first job to serve as a mentor.
3. Use the residency program as preparation for sitting for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist exam.
4. Take continuing education courses that spark my interest and are relevant to my patient population.
5. Become connected with an international service organization.
6. Become connected with physical therapy schools throughout North Carolina in order to begin mentoring students.

 

Elective Courses

Advanced Orthopedic Assessment, Fall 2013: This course provided me with a deeper understanding of the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic conditions.  As part of this class, I researched rotator cuff pathology and impingement syndrome [Final Paper].

Introductory Spanish for Health Professionals, Spring 2014: This course was an excellent way to improve my Spanish language comprehension skills in order to facilitate working with Spanish-speaking patients in the future.

Integrated Clinical Experience, Spring 2014: This clinical experience allowed me to have additional practice furthering my clinical skills under the mentorship of a faculty member.

Interdisciplinary Service Learning Trip to Guatemala, Spring 2014: I had the opportunity to work alongside Guatemalan therapists to assess and treat patients at a local hospital and participate in a health fair for the community.  I was able to strengthen my Spanish-speaking skills.

Capstone Project, Spring 2014: I had the privilege of presenting my Capstone Project to the first year DPT students after completing a thorough literature review on the topic of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome [Presentation].

 

Reflective Statement

The past three years have been challenging at times, yet they have pushed me to become the person and clinician that I am today.  I believe I now have a great foundation upon which to begin my physical therapy career.  I am immensely grateful for the professors and classmates who believed in me, encouraged me along the way, and helped instill a passion in me for this wonderful profession.  I am excited to become licensed and begin working in an outpatient orthopedic setting.

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