DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

As an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy, my goal is to provide patient and family-centered care to individuals across the lifespan. Specifically, I hope to build on my clinical experience working with neurologic and pediatric populations in underserved communities. I will seek out workplace environments that support evidence-based practice and provide mentorship in daily clinical practice. I will act as an advocate for patients and their caregivers, and will continue to explore how best to serve as an effective care provider and educator. I will work in my broader community to address issues of access and bias which impact my patients’ daily lives.  I will strive to approach my clinical practice with empathy, humor, and curiosity.

Career Plan (0-5 Years)

• Begin UNC Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program – August 2015
• Clinical rotation I (8 weeks): UNC Hospital, Acute Care, 8 weeks
• Clinical rotation II (8 weeks): Wake County Public School System – Pediatric Neurology
• Clinical rotation III (8 weeks): Mills River Physical Therapy – Outpatient Orthopedics, Underserved
• Clinical rotation IV (12 weeks): Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU – Pediatric Outpatient & Acute Care
  • Attended “Therapy Interventions for the Infant Born Preterm: NICU to Preschool” lecture series at VCU – 2016
  • Advanced Neurology and Pediatrics elective courses – 2017-18
  • Graduate with DPT (UNC-CH) – August 2018
  • Prepare for NPTE; job search – August – October 2018
  • Sit for NPTE and become a licensed PT in Virginia – October 2018
  • Serve as clinical instructor – 2020
• Ongoing:
  • Develop Spanish language skills to better serve underserved patient populations
  • Explore clinical interests in pediatrics and neurology through continuing education, research, authoring case reports, and (potentially) a pediatric physical therapy residency

Self-Assessment

• Strengths
  • Previous experience working in preschool, nonprofit, and home health environments with children with special needs
  • Participation in UNC’s student run community health clinic (SHAC) and it’s pediatric branch (Beyond Clinic Walls)
  • Experience in organizational leadership as  Continuing Education chair of the SPTA
• Areas for Professional Development
  • Neuro PT evaluation and treatment
  • Orthopedic evaluation and treatment skills
  • Handling skills
  • Durable Medical Equipment (DME) knowledge
  • Spanish language skills

Objectives

• Graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy
• Become a board certified physical therapist
• Gain ongoing exposure to neurologic and pediatric patient populations
• Continue to develop knowledge of therapeutic exercise, patient handling, and DME
• Participate in community health initiatives outside of clinic
• Become proficient in Spanish

Specific Strategies

• Pass the NPTE in October 2018
• Employment in a pediatric or neurological clinical setting – fall 2018
• Participate in Pediatric and Neurology special interest groups of the APTA
• Complete one of the following (based on clinical environment):
  • NDT/Bobath Certificate Course in the Management of Adults with Stroke and Brain Injury
  • NDT/Bobath Certificate Course in the Management & Treatment of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Other Neuromotor Disorders
• Attain Therapeutic Yoga Teacher certification (Level 2)
• Pursue ACSM/NCHPAD Inclusive Fitness Trainer certification
• Continue developing Spanish-language skills through courses, self-study, conversational groups, and travel.
• Serve as instructor for community-based health initiative such as Girls on the Run, YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, or developmental play groups

Product Examples

• Capstone Project – “Physical Therapy Management of Pediatric Patients Post-Concussion”
• Neuro Special Topics database contribution – Action Observation Training

Reflective Statement

I am deeply grateful for the supportive and collaborative environment created by the faculty of UNC’s DPT program and my fellow classmates over the past three years. I am especially thankful for the ways in which the program informed my understanding of how bias, disability, and chronic illness impact community participation and access, as well as how clinicians can work to counteract these factors. In my time at UNC, I have developed skills that will allow me to offer evidence-based care to members of my community in an ethical and empathetic manner. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to build relationships with a number of mentors (both within the UNC faculty and through clinical rotations), who have offered guidance and support as I explored interests in pediatrics, neurology, and underserved populations. The past three years have been both challenging and deeply fulfilling. I leave UNC knowing I have the tools to continue as a lifelong learner, as well as the support of my peers and professors.

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