DPT Portfolios

Professional GoalStatement:
My goal is to begin my career as a physical therapist working in an outpatient orthopedic clinic, with a focus on utilization of manual therapies, prevention and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, and foot orthotic utility and intervention. I plan on becoming an orthopedic certified specialist after completing an orthopedic residency program. I plan to use my physical therapy skills in the United States and abroad by traveling to other countries on mission/service trips. Most importantly, I desire to be an advocate for all of my patients/clients.

Career Plan:
May 2012: Earn my Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion and Wellness from North Greenville University
July 2015: Complete and pass the NPTE; become a licensed physical therapist
August 2015: Earn my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from UNC-Chapel Hill
September 2015: Begin working at an outpatient orthopedic clinic, with emphasis on manual therapies and foot orthotic fabrication
2018-2019: Complete an orthopedic residency program
2019: Sit for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) exam
2020: Become a clinical instructor
2020-2030: Provide professional in-services on foot orthotic and shoe fitting for various patient/client populations; Travel abroad once every 2 years on physical therapy service trips; become a clinical researcher

Self-Assessment:
Strengths

• Maintained a leadership role as treasurer for the UNC-Student Physical Therapy Association
• Experience with interdisciplinary communication with a team-based approach
• Experience in an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy setting
• Mentorship from an experienced physical therapist involved in foot orthotic intervention
• Ability to connect and empathize/sympathize with individuals quickly and effectively
• I have a well-developed network of medical professionals in the state
• Advocacy: actively engaging with state legislators and stakeholders regarding spinal manipulation legislation

Areas for Further Professional Development

• More clinical experience in an orthopedic setting: focus on manual therapies and foot orthotic intervention
• Additional continuing education courses with emphasis on manual therapies and foot/orthotic and shoe fitting/prescription
• Further experience needed in billing, coding, and administration
• Improved knowledge of, and staying current with health reform topics and legislation
• Devote more time to exploring various assessment systems and manual therapy techniques

Objectives:
Special Areas of Interest

• Orthopedics
• Foot orthotic fabrication efficacy and intervention
• Applied manual therapy skills
• Community service learning experiences
• International service learning experiences

Main Objectives

• Pass the National PT Board Exam
• Continue to develop my working knowledge of orthopedic diagnoses, evaluation, and assessment
• Continue to develop clinical evaluation and intervention skills through completing an orthopedic residency program.
• Pursue continuing education opportunities to build manual therapy skills, become experienced in foot orthotic fabrication and shoe prescription
• Stay active in legislation and advocacy for the profession
• Partake in community service opportunities in underserved communities and mission/service trips abroad

Strategies:

• Identify mentor(s) with the knowledge, skills, and professional values I wish to emulate
• Identify a mentor following graduation who has a specialty certification in orthopedic/manual therapy
• Continue to be under the tutelage of professor(s) involved with manual therapies and/or the customization of foot orthotics and shoe fitting.
• Continue organized studying for the NPTE board exam
• Secure materials about OCS residency options and exam requirements.
• Secure materials on international service organizations and medical service trip opportunities; review WHO’s (World Health organization’s) legal requirements for practicing physical therapy abroad
• Stay involved with APTA and NCPTA; stay current and involved in advocacy
• Network with physical therapists in outpatient orthopedic settings

Evidence of Goal Pursuit:

• Doctoral capstone project completed on the following topic: “Ankle Injury Prevention: Methods and Principles.”
  • Involved literature review, creation of evidence table, and presentation for members of the wellness community
• Preparation for Evidenced-Based Clinical Practice:
• Quality time spent with Michael T. Gross, PT, PhD, FAPTA learning the skill of lower quarter assessment and foot orthotic fabrication
• Spinal Manipulation Task Force member and actively communicating with physical therapists, medical doctors, and constituents regarding HB 135/S190: Modernize Physical Therapy Practice Act
  • This legislation would enable PTs to perform spinal manipulation without the need of a referral from a physician.

Reflective Statement:

I am actively pursuing my goals as stated above. I am on course to sit for the NPTE exam on July 22, 2015 and to graduate UNC’s eDPT program on August 1, 2015. I am currently seeking a job as a physical therapist in an outpatient orthopedic clinic setting upon graduation. I plan to learn more from Michael T. Gross regarding foot orthotic fabrication and shoe prescription. I am beginning the search for a mentor who has his/her certification in orthopedics and/or manual therapy. I am an active member on the Spinal Manipulation Task Force in N.C. and am currently contributing to this grassroots effort.

I am very thankful for the many opportunities and people who have helped shape my strong career foundation as a physical therapist. I look forward to the many future opportunities that will develop me into an experienced clinician. Most of all, I am looking forward to investing my time into patients whom I can learn from, and whom can, hopefully, benefit from my knowledge and skills.

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