May 01 2018

Jaime Hankins

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Professional Goal Statement

My goal is to practice as a physical therapist with a wide range of skills that focus on helping those in pain in an outpatient orthopedic setting. The Physical Therapy profession is currently being tasked with offering an alternative to medication for pain relief. I would like to be someone who can offer this to patients to set them on a path to healing while strengthening the profession as a whole as a go-to for pain relief and healing. I enjoy working with adults in all age ranges but specifically have an interest in geriatric care and would like to be an advocate for this growing population. I would also like to become affiliated with health and wellness programs for the underserved and those at risk for developing preventable chronic illnesses.

Career Plan

  • August 2018: Graduate from UNC Chapel Hill with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
  • October 2018: Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam
  • October 2018: Employment in an Outpatient Orthopedic Setting
  • 2019: Begin series of Functional Dry Needling and McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy Certifications
  • 2020: Orthopedic Clinic Specialist Certification
  • 2019 and beyond: Partner with health and wellness organizations on a voluntary basis
  • 2019 and beyond: Develop clinical reasoning and various skill sets to provide evidence based patient care
  • 2019 and beyond: Seek additional continuing education and certifications pertinent to my patient population

Self-Assessment

  • Strengths
    • Having had a previous career, I honed many professional skills that also lend themselves to working with patients
    • Compassion and communication skills with patients to gain trust and help empower them to improve their health
    • Respect for patients regardless of their health status, economic situation, culture, lifestyle choices, etc.
  • Areas for Professional Development
    • Continue to gain manual therapy skills
    • Expand on my knowledge of complex orthopedic patients
    • Expand on my knowledge of billing, coding, and reimbursement rates and the ways they affect outpatient PT services
    • Become more involved in Physical Therapy advocacy

Objectives

  • Study and sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam
  • Obtain a position in an outpatient orthopedic setting
  • Pursue continuing education coursework and certifications
  • Pursue opportunities to participate in Health and Wellness programs

Strategic Plan

  • Complete my final 12 week clinical rotation
  • Follow through with my study guide to successfully pass the National Physical Therapy Exam
  • Seek PT positions in outpatient orthopedic settings
  • Use connections and personal references I have made in the past few years to assist me in the application process
  • Seek additional guidance in resume critiquing though UNC services
  • Seek mentorship and research interview strategies
  • Find APTA areas of interest and participate in advocacy events
  • Seek guidance and perform research on all continuing education and certificate programs available in my area and beyond
  • Seek opportunities to participate in health and wellness programs on a volunteer basis

Electives & Capstone

  • PHYT 875: Advanced Orthopedic Assessment & Intervention
  • Integrated Clinical Experience: Neuro focus at University PT Clinic (Fall 2017)
  • Interdisciplinary Service Learning Trip to Tyrell County
  • Capstone Project on Joint Hypermobility: Physical Function and Balance for Older Adults & a Literature Review of the Association of Postural Sway

Product Examples

Reflection

  • My path to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program has been anything but ordinary. Having graduated from NCSU with an undergraduate degree 20 years ago and having worked in the field of landscape architecture during that time, I felt I had a few obstacles ahead of me that others may not.  This thought entered my mind and almost overwhelmed me as I sat in the classroom on our first day of orientation.  However, the faculty and my classmates were essential in squashing some of my irrational fears and offering me guidance and encouragement throughout this entire program to allow me to successfully change careers. I have particularly enjoyed my time in various clinical rotation settings and my interactions with clinical instructors and patients who have helped me discover my love for outpatient orthopedic physical therapy. I see myself thriving in this environment in the future as I am challenged with detective work and problem solving to set patients on a successful lifelong path to recovery.

One response so far




One Response to “Jaime Hankins”

  1.   Lisa Johnstonon 18 Jun 2018 at 9:23 am

    Jaime: Nice job on your portfolio! It is nice to see samples of some of the things you have done. I know you have had a long journey to get this far. It is just the beginning…you are going to do great! Good luck. Lisa

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