DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

My foremost goals are to graduate with my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then pass the National Physical Therapy Exam, thereby obtaining licensure and subsequent employment. I seek to demonstrate excellence in physical therapy practice, effectively and efficiently maximizing patient outcomes through evidence-based, patient-centered care. My plan is to work in either the outpatient orthopaedic or inpatient rehab setting, environments that I have found to be rewarding and invigorating. I feel honored to be able to positively impact the lives of my patients. I will draw upon my foundational knowledge learned at university, my many mentors, ongoing pursuit of current research, and my clinical experience to embody my best self as a physical therapist.

Career Path and Future Plans:

• Entrance into UNC DPT Program Class of 2018
  • Clinical Affiliation 1: Brunswick Physical Therapy Associates, outpatient orthopaedics; Sunset Beach, NC
  • Clinical Affiliation 2: Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, acute care; Boliva, NC
  • Clinical Affiliation 3: New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Rehabilitation Hospital, inpatient rehabilitation; Wilmington, NC
  • Clinical Affiliation 4: Bodies in Balance Physical Therapy, outpatient services (orthopaedic and neurologic); Wilmington, NC
• Graduate from The University of North Carolina’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program – August 2018
• Pass the Federation of State Boards Physical Therapy Exam – October 2018
• Obtain a full-time outpatient or inpatient rehab position –within 1 months of obtaining licensure
• Become an APTA certified Clinical Instructor – within 3 years of employment
• Pass the Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) Exam – within 5 years of employment
• Become an adjunct professor at a university within the department of physical therapy – 10 years

Strengths:

• Interpersonal communication and active listening
• Delivering clear and salient patient and family education concerning diagnois, prognosis, and plan of care
• Professionalism
• Commitment to lifelong learning
• Practice what I preach – I believe it is essential to foster a healthful lifestyle and that movement is medicine
• Utilize evidence-based research in my clinical decision-making
• Clinical exposure to broad diagnoses and patient populations
• More than 7 years’ experience as a yoga instructor which has cultivated a sense of ease and understanding when instructing movement and exercise as medicine

Areas for Growth:

• Taking a more active role in physical therapy advocacy issues
• Broadening my interventional skillset
• Expanding my knowledge healthcare policy
• Honing my proficiency for point of care documentation

Objectives:

• Graduate with my Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in August 2018
• Sit for and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam in October of 2018
• Become employed in the setting of my choice in Wilmington, NC within 1 month of obtaining licensure
• Demonstrate consistent excellence as a clinician
• Become an Orthpaedic Clinical Specialist
• Obtain a position a professor of physical therapy

Specific Strategies:

• Following a strict study plan for passing Boards in October 2018
• Maintaining active annual membership and participation in the APTA and NCPTA
• Managing my LinkedIn profile and resume
• Continuing to develop my professional network and rapport with my past clinical instructors, former PT classmates, and the numerous health professionals I’ve met along the way
• Regularly participate in educational events, in-services, and continuing education courses that bolster my clinical expertise, goals, and promote evidence-based practice

Electives:

• PHYT 875: Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment
• PHYT 895: International Service Learning Trip – Guatemala
• PUBH 610: Intro Spanish for Health Professionals

Product Examples

Capstone Project – Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Biomechanics, Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment Final Paper – Rotator Cuff and Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: Anatomy, Etiology, Screening, and Treatment

Critically Appraised Topic – Effects of HIT Treadmill Training on Gait Speed in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

Reflection

For years I taught hatha yoga classes, and I fell in love with working with others to improve their health and wellness through movement, posture, and mindfulness training. Gradually I formed a strong vision to shape myself into a health professional, merging my passions with a career path that I would be proud of and that I know will add real value to many lives. Gaining acceptance to the UNC DPT program was a dream come true. I feel very fortunate to have learned from the esteemed faculty at UNC. The work load has been tremendous, and the field of physical therapy is far more diverse than I first realized. I entered the program with a strong interest for orthopedics which I have maintained, but I have also gained and deepened my understanding of neuromuscular and cardiopulmonary systems, pediatrics, geriatrics, professional development, differential diagnosis, cultural competence in health care, and many more topics.

The requirement to participate in clinical rotations across a variety of settings has done much to prepare me as a clinician and broadened my interests. For example, last spring (2017) I worked with stroke patients in the inpatient rehab hospital at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. At first, I was intimidated by this assignment, but I quickly realized that the program had prepared me well for this population. In short time I was excited at the start of every day, realizing that I had the honor and clinical competence to help these patients restore their capacity for functional independence.

I still have a driving proclivity to work in outpatient orthopedics. While two of my rotations have allowed me much practice in this environment, I believe that my experience in the acute care setting has most prepared me for my desired career. Working in the acute care setting allowed me to gain insight into the early rehab process for patients who would soon be in need of outpatient PT services. In the acute care setting, I initiated early rehabilitation protocols for patients post joint replacement surgeries and evaluated a wide range of individuals with multiple co-morbidities who had long-term therapy potential. Drawing upon my time in the acute care and inpatient settings gives me a better understanding of the patient’s complete PT experience.

The capstone project that was a requirement of the curriculum challenged me to gain expertise that I’ve now taken into my final rotation, allowing me to present myself with informed confidence on a topic. I was able to provide beneficial materials to clinicians, patients, and strengthen my resume.

I am very appreciative of the service learning components that are woven into the UNC DPT program. At UNC we are encouraged to volunteer at the free health clinic (SHAC), required to carry out at least 1 of 4 clinical rotations in an underserved area (I worked in 2), and given the option to take a one credit course to render free PT services in underserved areas: Tyrell County, NC and/or Antigua, Guatemala. I elected to enroll in the UNC service trip to Guatemala. The trip was both a rewarding and humbling experience. The experience deepened my cultural competence, allowed me to communicate with patients in a second language (Spanish, which many of my future patients may speak as a first language), and exposed me to extreme levels of widespread poverty and medical need.

My foremost professional goal is to demonstrate excellence in physical therapy practice, and I’m confident that the UNC DPT program has set me up well to achieve that goal. Since day one, the program has underscored the necessity of life-long learning and implementation of evidence-based practice. For all of my DPT classes I have been required to pull primary sources from health science databases to make informed, well-researched assertions in my papers and in my practice. I have developed the habit of researching pathologies and interventions. The solid foundation of knowledge that I have built at UNC is just that, a foundation. I will continue to grow and evolve as a clinician.

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