DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement:

Upon graduation, I plan to enter into this field in pursuit of life-long learning, continue to challenge myself and remain open to the possibilities and opportunities that arise to advance my career. I intend to become a holistic, compassionate physical therapist and uphold the moral and ethical pillars put forth by the APTA. Going forward, I would like to expand on my interests in acute care and pediatrics, focusing on advancing my competency in complex diagnoses, medical procedures and mobility equipment. I would like to enter into the workforce as a team member of a large hospital system in order to have ample opportunities to grow and learn from experienced clinicians both within the discipline of physical therapy as well as the rest of the care providers. After gaining an aptitude for the medical side of patient care from acute and critical care experiences, I plan to transition to pediatrics and ultimately obtain my Pediatric Specialist Certification (PCS). I also hope continue to promote physical therapy for underserved populations through community outreach, education and wellness services and maintain competency in my Spanish language abilities.

Career Plan:

• May 2015: Obtain Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science with a minor in Spansih Language from Wake Forest University.
• June 2017: Outpatient clinical rotation at UNC Rehab Services Meadowmont in Chapel Hill, NC.
• March 2018: Pediatric clinical rotation in Cabarrus County School System in Concord, NC.
• April 2018: Attended conference hosted by National Seating and Mobility in Concord, NC, expanding knowledge base on selection, customization and delivery of power wheelchairs.
• May 2018: Acute care clinical rotation at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.
• May 2019: Inpatient rehabilitation clinical rotation at Atrium Health Carolinas Rehab Northeast in Concord, NC.
• August 2019: Obtain Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
•  October 2019: Sit for the NC Physical Therapy Board Exam.
• November 2019: Accept 1^st job in acute care with opportunity for mentorship. Join and participate in the acute care Special Interest Group.
• January – December 2020: Attend CSM and continuing education courses related to acute medical management of patients, early mobility of ventilated patients, treatment of infants in the NICU, physical therapy for oncology patients in acute care and pharmacology fundamentals.
•  January 2021: Become a Clinical Instructor and mentor first student in acute care setting.
• September 2021: Begin to seek opportunities within the healthcare system for acute pediatric patient care in the children’s hospital and/or NICU. Join the Pediatric Special Interest Group, give/attend in-services on acute pediatric PT.
• January 2022: Apply for/complete the PCS.
• June 2022: Transition completely to acute pediatric PT.

Self-Assessments:

• Strengths:
  • Clinical experience across the entire continuum of care from acute to outpatient.
  • Competency in Spanish.
  • Broad spectrum of interests.
  • Ability to make connections with patients on a personal level to build inherent trust.
  • Positively responding to and learning from constructive criticism.
  • Understanding of knowledge limitations and when to seek advice or answers from colleagues.
• Areas for Professional Development
  • Proficiency in billing and insurance particularly related to Medicare and Medicaid policies and regulations.
  • Manual facilitation to correct atypical postures and movements.
  • Appropriate direction and supervision of personnel.

Objectives:

1. Obtain Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree.
2. Receive a passing score on the NC Physical Therapy Board Examination.
3. Obtain full-time employment in acute care for large hospital system.
4. Attend CSM and continuing education related to acute management of adults and children with various diagnoses.
5. Apply for and receive Pediatric Specialist Certification after 3 years in the workforce.

 Specific Strategies:

• Engage in and seek out learning opportunities throughout my career.
• Participate in journal clubs and knowledge sharing to perpetuate life-long learning.
• Remain active member of the APTA and participate in events, advocacy and networking.
• Continue to develop and maintain my Spanish language skills with emphasis on medical Spanish and translation.

Electives and Coursework:

• PHYT 875 Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment: In depth review of musculoskeletal pathology for each tissue type in the human body with specific details regarding tissue mechanics and function throughout the lifespan. During this course I wrote a review paper on pediatric toe-walking, reviewing the etiology, mechanical consequences and evidence-based treatments.
• PHYT 752 Evidence-Based Practice II: The culmination of this course involving skills for research finding, appraisal and practicality was a Critically Appraised Topic, which I completed regarding the effect of mobilization on critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
• PHYT 885 Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention: Providing a closer look into neurological clinical practice across the lifespan and innovative research-based interventions. This course had a large focus on clinical practicality of research studies, for which I completed a project on the Neuro Special Topics website for evidence supporting interventions for Pusher’s Syndrome.
• PHYT 854 Capstone: I geared my Capstone project towards my passion for pediatric clinical practice with a review paper on the benefits of early mobility and created an interactive clinical toolkit for wheelchair skills training and considerations in school-based physical therapy.

Reflective Statement:

Throughout my 3 years attending PT school at UNC-CH, I have learned how important it is to challenge myself and never become complacent. There is transformation occurring in every single area of our practice, and each course, clinical rotation, and patient interaction has been proof of that. The accomplishments and dedication of each and every faculty member in this program has been a perfect depiction of the life-long learning process that encompasses our field. Every course in some way has incorporated the ICF model and the successes that come along with acknowledging each element of the model with every patient we interact with. I will be taking away not only an enormous amount of didactic information and clinical experience but also an understanding of how to provide holistic patient-centered care from the vast diversity of course topics and considerations we have been exposed to through this program.

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