DPT Portfolios

Anna VerMeulen

Professional Goal Statement

As a future physical therapist, my goal is to be an expert in my field and possess the kind of skills and knowledge that provide my patients with the best care. I plan to begin my career as a generalist in either the acute care or inpatient rehabilitation setting. In acute care my goal is to become a therapist in the Intensive Care Unit. In inpatient rehabilitation my goal is to work with neurologic populations. I then plan to specialize my knowledge in the neurologic population through a residency. No matter what setting I am in, I hope to be a leader amongst my peers, providing not only the best service to my future clinic, but also with volunteering in my community and advocating for my profession. Most importantly, I strive to be a compassionate and empathetic provider to every patient, providing them with the best opportunity to live a fulfilling life.

Career Plan

1 year plan:

• Graduate with my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree
• Pass the NC Board Licensure exam
• Obtain employment at a level 1 trauma center in North Carolina as an acute care physical therapist or at an inpatient rehabilitation center focusing on the neurologic population.

3 year plan:

• Work as a physical therapist in the ICU or in a specialty unit at an inpatient rehabilitation facility

5 year plan:

• Begin a neurology residency
• Pass the Neurology Clinical Specialist examination

10 year plan:

• Become a clinical instructor
• Obtain employment at an outpatient rehabilitation facility
• Continue developing my skills as a clinician

Self- Assessment

Strengths: professionalism, organizational skills, time management, compassion for others, commitment to learning, variety of clinical exposures

Areas for Further Development: improve knowledge of insurance and billing, clinical experience, increase confidence in orthopedic evaluation and differential diagnosis, increase skills in treatments for various neurologic diagnoses

Objectives

1. Graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and pass my NC Board Licensure exam.
2. Obtain employment at a large healthcare system in North Carolina as an acute care or inpatient rehabilitation physical therapist
3. Keep up to date on research in physical therapy and topics related to my area of clinical work to provide the best care for my patients
4. Become a Neurologic Clinical Specialist

Areas of Interest

• Acute Care/Intensive Care Unit
• Inpatient Rehabilitation
• Outpatient Neuro
• Concussion Rehabilitation
• Vestibular Rehabilitation

Specific Strategies

• Begin a comprehensive study schedule for studying for boards
• Attend networking events in North Carolina
• Take continuing education courses in topics to further develop my clinical knowledge
• Attend an APTA or NCPTA conference
• Find a mentor after I graduate who will help me adjust to employment and help me with the first few years of being a clinician

Electives

PHYT 870 Integrated Clinical Experience

PHYT 875 Advanced Orthopedic Assessment and Intervention

PHYT 885 Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention

PHYT 895 International Service-Learning Trip

Clinical Rotations

Novant Health: Outpatient Ortho, Adults and Pediatrics, 8 weeks

Mission Hospital: Acute Care, Neuro/Trauma ICU, 8 weeks

Vanderbilt Hospital-Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute: Outpatient Neuro, 8 weeks

Wake Med: Inpatient Rehab, TBI/Complex medical unit, 12 weeks

Product Examples

• ICU Delirium Inservice
• Vestibular Disorders and Anxiety Inservice Presentation
• Sarcopenia Paper (Advanced Orthopedics)
• Capstone: Clinical Practice Guideline-Concussion

Reflective Statement

Thinking back on the past three years of physical therapy school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it is overwhelming how much I have learned; not only the curriculum, but also professionalism, time management, determination, compassion, empathy, and an unwavering desire for knowledge. It has not been easy, but it has been a challenge that I will forever be thankful that I completed. I am beyond grateful to all of my professors, mentors, classmates, clinical instructors, patients, community members, friends, and family who have challenged me, supported me, and taught me how to be the best physical therapist and the best person that I can be. I think the most important thing as I graduate and move forward to my career is to recognize how much I still have left to learn and remember that learning is never complete, especially in the world of science and health care. I am excited to soon become a practicing physical therapist and explore my passion of working with patients, especially the neurologic population. My hope is to incorporate everything that I have gained from classes, clinicals, volunteer and work experiences to treat my future patients with the best quality of care.

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