DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

My professional goal is to become a well-rounded Physical Therapist with a focus on pediatrics and underserved populations. I aspire to help those who are unable to help themselves. I aim to give back to rural communities, and provide educational experiences for both patients and their family members.

 

Career Plan

2013: Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Exercise and Sport Science, UNC Chapel Hill

2013-2016: Doctorate of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2014: Volunteer at the Carolina Living and Learning Center for adults on the autism spectrum in Pittsboro, NC

2015-2016: Volunteer with the Autism Society at Camp Royall in Moncure, NC

2016: Gain employment in a pediatric outpatient clinic in North Carolina

2017: Begin health talks/outreach programs in the community to promote overall health and wellness

2017: Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist Certification

2018: Begin charity program to benefit individuals unable to afford quality health care

2019: Obtain PCS either by qualifying exam or residency program

2020: Begin ongoing research on the role of PT/best care in children with Autism Spectrum disorders

2025: Present at SoPAC on completed research

2030: Work as an adjunct faculty member for a DPT program, teaching pediatrics and cultural competency courses while maintaining aforementioned charity program.

 

Self-Assessment: Strengths

• Background in cultural competency classes as a result of Psychology degree.
• Ability to easily connect with patients to allow for more open communication and ease of interaction during therapy sessions. I believe this will be especially helpful in fostering a holistic approach to patient-centered care.
• Experience providing physical therapy services to children in the school system as well as in the outpatient setting.
• Experience working with both children and adults on the autism spectrum
• 3 Clinical affiliations with underserved populations
• 2 Pediatric clinical affiliations
• Experience writing letters of medical necessity, Medicaid pre-authorizations, and educational materials for parents of children with special needs
• Knowledge gained outside of the classroom via the Section on Pediatrics Annual Conference (SoPAC 2014, 2015)
• A wide variety of volunteer roles related to assisting underserved/under-represented populations with physical and cognitive disabilities
• Strong will, positive attitude, and time management skills that will allow me to be successful in all my endeavors

 

 

Self-Assessment: Areas for Further Development

• Further experience providing physical therapy services to the pediatric population
• Understanding of Medicaid requirements and restrictions
• Competency in other languages (with a focus on Spanish)
• Increased knowledge of available adaptive equipment for children in the school system
• Increased understanding of IDEA
• Further experience in the outpatient setting with underserved populations to allow for increased knowledge and ability to create easy-to-understand, salient educational materials.
• Further experience with charity organizations to better understand how they operate
• Increased knowledge of how to find/apply for grants as related to assisting patients with their healthcare needs
• Continuing research to allow for Evidence Based Physical Therapy and best care for my patients

 

Objectives

• Prepare and sit for the State Board of Physical Therapy Exam in 2016.
• Serve as a physical therapist in a rural NC town to provide quality care and health education to patients of all backgrounds.
• Enhance my clinical skills in both orthopedics and pediatrics via continuing education courses and mentorship from peers and established specialists.
• Complete continuing education of vestibular rehabilitation.
• Begin research in the field of pediatrics to further knowledge base and contribute to the profession.
• Attend pediatric residency program and sit for the PCS.
• Present at conferences and continuing education courses

 

Developmental Strategies

• Maintain active membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), North Carolina Physical Therapy Association (NCPTA), Section on Pediatrics, Section on Research, and Section on Education.
• Develop a schedule and strategy to prepare for the National Physical Therapy Exam in 2016.
• Continue to plan for the future and incorporate continuing education, time for research, and opportunities to complete community outreach programs.
• Secure employment as a pediatric or orthopedic physical therapist where I can grow as a PT under mentors and experienced clinicians.
• Attend conferences and continuing education courses on pediatric physical therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, and education.
• Develop skills necessary to start a charity organization by continuing to participate in numerous charity and volunteer organizations.
• Perform regular self-evaluation and goal-evaluation to continue to grow as a professional as well as an individual.

 

Electives

Fall 2015

• PHYT 880: Child & Family Assessment and Intervention (3 credits)
  • Learning and reviewing assessment and intervention techniques for children and their families will greatly improve the quality of care I can provide for this population in my future career. This course will assist me in meet many of my career objectives.

Spring 2016

• PHYT 885: Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention
  • Exposure to key aspects of neuromuscular physical therapy will assist me in reaching my career goal of providing the best quality of care to the pediatric and geriatric populations. Learning advanced neuromuscular interventions will assist in building a skills tool box I can utilize throughout my career.

 

Capstone

For the Capstone project, I conducted a literature review on use of the Energy Expenditure Index (EEI) and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) to determine need for more supportive assistive device in the school setting. The literature review looked at the use of the EEI and RPE to determine fatigue and ability to participate in educational activities. Research on this matter is pertinent to ensure students have the ability to be as independent as possible, while still having the energy to pay attention and learn in the classroom. Following completion of the literature review, I manufactured a research study design that myself and other clinicians can utilize to add to research on this topic. My committee members for the capstone project were Laurie Ray and Dana McCarty. Both Laurie Ray and Dana have expertise in the field of pediatric physical therapy, and in the school system more specifically. With Laurie Ray’s assistance, I will be carrying out the research protocol with other clinicians in the fall of 2016.

Products:
Literature Review
Vestibular System Inservice Presentation
Stander Brochure

Reflective Statement/Progress Toward Goals

Since formulating my objectives in 2015, it’s a great feeling to see that I am on the right track to accomplishing my objects and career goals. In May of 2016 I accepted my dream job working in a multi-disciplinary pediatric outpatient clinic. The clinic not only fulfills my wishes to practice in a pediatric setting, but also includes a two year mentorship program.  I have completed a vestibular inservice project, maintained my APTA membership, and completed a capstone project that will add to the field of pediatric physical therapy. Additionally, I have a study schedule in place to prepare for the boards exam, and I continue to volunteer in the community to remain up-to-date on how charities are established and ran. I hope to continue to progress towards my career goals and objectives as I grow as a clinician.

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