DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

Upon successful completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UNC Chapel Hill, my goal is to improve the quality of life of my patients by providing them with quality, holistic, evidenced-based care. I hope to begin my career as a physical therapist in an acute care setting in North Carolina. However, my ultimate goal is to become a geriatric certified specialist and find a job in which I will serve primarily the geriatric population in an outpatient setting. I hope to provide quality care while treating all patients with respect and compassion. I will strive to advocate for my patients as well as our profession throughout my career.

Career Plan

• December 2015: Graduated from University of Delaware with a major in Exercise Science and minor in Strength and Conditioning
• August 2016: Began Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at UNC Chapel Hill
• Clinical Rotations
  • June-August 2017: Outpatient Orthopedic rotation at UNC Wellness Center at NW Cary in Cary, NC
  • March-May 2018: Acute care rotation at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC
  • May-June 2018: Outpatient Neuro rotation at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC
  • May-July 2019: Geriatrics rotation at PACE in Pittsboro, NC
• Future:
  • Pass board exam (July 2019)
  • Attain DPT from UNC Chapel Hill (August 2019)
  • Accept job in acute care setting in North Carolina (September 2019)
  • Become LSVT BIG certified (December 2019)
  • Accept job in outpatient neurological/geriatric clinic (Fall 2021)
  • Become geriatric certified specialist (Fall 2022)
  • Engage in continuing education courses/conferences to learn new skills (throughout my career)

Self-Assessment

• Strengths
  • Ability to establish rapport with patients
  • Experience in a variety of clinical settings and with a variety of patient populations
  • Professionalism and accountability
  • Good communication skills and ability to motivate/encourage patients
• Areas for Development
  • Improving understanding of billing and insurance
  • Continuing to promote the profession of physical therapy
  • Continuing to improve evaluation and examination skills for complex patient cases
  • Continuing to incorporate evidence-based literature into practice

 Objectives

• Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination in July 2019
• Graduate from UNC Chapel Hill’s DPT program in August 2019
• Obtain full time employment in acute care setting in NC in September 2019
• Become LSVT certified by January 2019
• Obtain employment in outpatient neurological/geriatric clinic by 2022
• Become certified clinical instructor by 2022
• Become geriatric certified specialist by 2023
• Maintain membership in APTA

Strategies to Address Goals

• Adequately prepare for National Physical Therapy exam by creating a study schedule and participating in study groups
• Utilize career services to prepare a professional resume in preparation for submitting job applications
• Enroll in LSVT BIG certification course during my first year as a PT
• Commit to becoming a life-long learner by remaining current on literature and attending continuing education courses as well as participation in journal clubs
• Adequately prepare for GCS exam

Product Examples

• Capstone: Implementation of Follow-Up Phone Call Policy for CHAMP falls prevention program
  • https://dptcapstone.web.unc.edu/2019/04/11/implementation-of-champ-follow-up-phone-call-policy/#comments
• Health & Wellness: Designing an annual PT exam for geriatric population
  • BerglundA_annual PT exam

Reflective Statement

I am so thankful for all of the valuable experiences that I have had during the last three years as a student in the UNC DPT program. I have significantly grown not only professionally, but also personally, through these opportunities that have included clinical rotations, volunteer experiences, and class projects. These experiences have all been shaped by wonderful professors, classmates, and mentors who have provided me with support and insight which was instrumental in my growth as a future clinician.

I appreciate the emphasis of holistic, patient-centered care within UNC DPT’s program. I am confident that this approach to patient care will improve my ability to serve the patients I encounter throughout my career. I am also leaving the program with a deeper understanding of the importance of continuing education. Although I will be graduating school in August, my learning is just beginning. One of my goals is to ensure that lifelong learning is a priority throughout my career. Therefore, I will seek valuable continuing education opportunities that will ultimately improve the quality of care I am able to provide to my patients.

Being part of UNC’s Physical Therapy program has been such a blessing in my life. I feel well prepared to begin my career as a physical therapist and can hopefully use the knowledge I have gained to encourage, serve, and “improve the human experience” of each patient I treat. Thank you to all of my professors, classmates, friends, and family members who have supported and encouraged me so well during this journey.  You were all invaluable in helping me to reach this point. I am excited to see what the future holds!

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