DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

It my goal to practice evidence-based, high-quality, and compassionate physical therapy in the pediatric population. I am particularly interested in working with our littlest patients through early intervention services. I enjoy working children to promote movement and exploration of their environments. I also enjoy educating and instilling confidence in parents do to the same

Career Plan

Past

• May 2017: Graduated from Creighton University with a B.S. in Medical Mathematics
• August 2027: began University of North Carolina’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program with an expected graduation date of August 1, 2020

Clinical rotations

• June-August 2018 (8 weeks): General acute care in an underserved community– Scotland Memorial Hospital, Laurinburg, NC
• March-April 2019 (8 weeks): Outpatient orthopedics– Ambulatory Care Center, Chapel Hill, NC
• May-June 2019 (8 weeks): Pediatrics, early intervention services provided in the home– Carrboro Pediatric Physical Therapy, Carrboro, NC
• June-July 2020 (8 weeks): Pediatric acute care– Levine Children’s Hospital, Charlotte, NC

Future

• July 28/29, 2020: Pass National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) in order to obtain Kansas Physical Therapy License
• August 1, 2020: Graduate with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
• September 2020: begin working in outpatient or acute pediatrics in Kansas City
• 2022: Transition to early intervention services

Self-Assessment

Strengths

• Works well with young patients and their families
• Interpersonal skills allowing for interdisciplinary collaboration
• Creative problem-solving necessary for pediatric evaluation interventions
• Committed to high-quality, compassionate care

Areas for Professional Development

• Increase participation in state and national professional organizations (KPTA and APTA)
• Continued education and professional development by attending physical therapy conferences
• Become actively involved in future workplace community

Objectives

• Prepare for and pass NPTE in July 2020
• Obtain fulltime physical therapy position in a pediatric setting
• Become an active KPTA and APTA member
• Pursue lifelong learning in order to provide the highest quality, evidence-based care to patients
• Work establish and maintain a positive work-life balanced life

Strategy for obtaining goals

• Follow my NPTE study plan
• Utilize program resources for creating a resume and cover letter for future employment opportunities
• Participate in practice interviews
• Attend state and national physical therapy conferences (1 every other year)
• Create calendar for continuing education requirements
• Join a local physical therapy journal club

Course Electives

• Fall 2019: PHYT 880: Child and Family Assessment and Intervention (3 hours)
• Spring 2020: PHYT 885: Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention (3 hours)

Examples of my work

• Cranial Molding Deformities in the NICU
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome in Infancy and Early Childhood

Reflection

I received the same piece of advice from several professors, practicing physical therapists, and students when beginning physical therapy school in the fall of 2017: “Keep an open mind when picking the type of physical therapy you want to practice. Many students do not end up in the area of physical therapy they originally thought they would.” I tried to keep an open mind, but my heart has been in pediatrics from the start. Thinking about the future children and their families that I would help is what got me through the stressful, late-night study sessions of school. I am so thankful for all of the amazing faculty and classmates that have helped me through this program. I know that the knowledge and experiences I have gained through this program will serve me well in my future as a pediatric therapist, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow as a physical therapist throughout my career!

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