DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

My professional practice goal is to advance the field of physical therapy to become the first line of treatment for musculoskeletal impairments.  In order to achieve this professional goal, personally I must strive to become a sympathetic, accomplished, confident physical therapy practitioner with an expertise in the area of orthopedic physical therapy.  Ideally, I hope to join an out-patient physical therapy practice in upstate South Carolina with a team based culture, mentorship program and emphasis on evidence based practice.

Career Plan

• May 2012: Magna Cum Laude, S. in Sociology with a Minor in Therapeutic Recreation. Clemson University; Clemson, SC.
• June 2015-August 2015: Search for and apply for out-patient orthopedic physical therapist positions in Greenville, SC and the surrounding areas. Emphasizing team based culture, evidence based practice, manual therapy intervention and within company mentorship programs.
• July 2015: Sit for and pass National Physical Therapy Examination. Obtain a license to practice physical therapy in North and South Carolina.
• August 2015: earn Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Begin physical therapy career in setting previously described.
• 2017: Obtain a COMT certification in Manual Therapy
• 2018: participate in training and become a certified clinical instructor and being working with physical therapy students in a CI capacity.
• 2020: Obtain an OCS certification.

Self- Assessment

Strengths:

• Significant clinical experience in a wide variety of out-patient orthopedic clinics, including: predominantly geriatrics, predominantly youth and sports related populations, general orthopedics, private practice, and nationally owned practices.
• A passion and determination for orthopedic practice and assisting patients in returning to their preferred leisure activities.
• Strong inter-personal and communication skills, and the desire to be a member of a treatment team.
• Strong background in research and evidence review

Areas for Professional Development:

• Further develop my understanding of the neuromuscular system and related diagnoses.
• Develop larger community network in order to better assist patients reintegrating into recreational activities.
• Further develop my knowledge of the development process, and the contribution of age for rehabilitation in young athletic populations.
• Improve efficiency in all aspects of patient care and clinical practice.

Objectives

My primary area of interest is Orthopedic Practice in an Out-Patient Setting with additional interest in manual therapy intervention.

1. Prepare for, take and pass the NPTE exam on the first attempt in order to demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of professional physical therapy practice.
2. Obtain a full-time physical therapy position in an out-patient orthopedic clinic with a mentorship program and clinical education development program.
3. Attend specialized local and national conferences pertaining to orthopedic practice.

Professional Development

Specific Strategies for Enhancing Professional Development

The specific strategies I plan to utilize to address my developmental interests and needs, include:

1. Maintaining an active membership in the APTA at both a local and national level. While also maintain section specific membership related to sports, and orthopedic practice.
2. Shadow with potential employers prior to accepting positions in order to asses clinical atmosphere and educational opportunities.
3. Maintain a strong positive working relationships with clinical instructors and clinical mentors.
4. Attend local and national conferences pertaining to orthopedic and sports related clinical practice
5. Obtain an entry level out-patient orthopedic physical therapy position to enhance my knowledge and experience in this area of practice

Professional Clinical Experience

1. Kinetic Institute of Physical Therapy. (Out-Patient Orthopedics, Underserved) Sanford, NC
2. New Hanover County Public Schools. (Pediatrics, Neuromuscular) Wilmington, NC
3. UNC-Hospital. (Acute Care) Chapel Hill, NC
4. Proaxis Therapy. (Out-Patient Orthopedics) Simpsonville, SC

Professional Selected Curriculum

Fall 2014: Advanced Orthopedic Assessment (3 credit hours): As my primary practice interest is Orthopedics, I opted to take this elective in the Fall of 2014 in order to advance my level of understanding and skills in the diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of orthopedic conditions.

Spring 2015: Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention (3 credit hours): As previously mentioned neuromuscular intervention is a personal area in need of additional professional advancement.  For this reason, I felt that it would benefit my skills as a general physical therapy practitioner to spend additional time on this topic as well as help to better prepare myself for the national board exam.

Professional Products

1. Capstone Presentation: I developed a presentation for entry level DPT students related to the anatomy, diagnosis and treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. The presentation was presented in the Spring of 2015 for the UNC-Chapel Hill first year eDPT class as part of the Musculoskeletal I course.  Development of the project was assisted by the expertise of: Mike Gross, Mike McMorris and Jennifer Cooke of UNC-Chapel Hill.  For a complete project overview, please visit the following link https://dptcapstone.web.unc.edu/category/current-students-spring-of-2015/entry-level-students-current-students-spring-of-2015/burnett-blair/
2. Critically Appraised Topic: As part of the Evidence Based Practice II course at UNC- Chapel Hill, I developed a critically appraised topic pertaining to the effectiveness of the different tests in the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome. To view this document, click here.
3. Health and Wellness Project Proposal. The following proposal was developed as a component of the Health and Wellness course at UNC-Chapel Hill.  This project was designed to outline the development of an Osteoarthritis Prevention and Management Program, the proposal is linked here.

Reflective Statement

As I begin to take my first steps into the professional world of physical therapy, it is only appropriate to reflect back onto the events that have shaped me into the professional I am today.  I entered UNC’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program with my heart and mind set on becoming a sports specific team therapist due to my athletic background.  Quickly after entering the program, I realized that there was so much more to physical therapy practice then what I had previously been exposed.  My focus began to shift away from a very narrow sport specific concentration to a more broad orthopedic interest.  I found myself being drawn to many different areas of practice and having an overwhelming desire to help individuals of all ages and populations to return to their personal leisure activities. The UNC faculty and associated clinical sites have provided me with numerous incomparable experiences to further explore the depths of physical therapy practice and have challenged me to become a more confident and skilled professional.  The connections I have made to my peers in the program as well as my clinical instructors and faculty will continue to be an invaluable resource as I enter the professional world.  Finally, because of these experiences and connections I feel excited and prepared to take on all of the challenges and responsibilities that accompany being a Physical Therapist.

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