Apr 20 2017
Lynch, Elizabeth
Professional Goal Statement:
My professional goal is to become a well-rounded, effective, and compassionate physical therapist with a specialization in the area of pediatrics. I want to establish myself as an expert in the field by continually refining my skills and pursuing patient-centered, evidence-based physical therapy practice. I hope to utilize my knowledge and skills to serve and love children and their families by promoting the highest quality of life through physical therapy care.
Career Plan:
May 2012: Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science, UNC Chapel Hill
2014-2017: UNC Chapel Hill Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
- Clinical Rotation I: Southeastern Orthopaedic Specialists – Greensboro, NC (Outpatient Orthopedics, 8 weeks)
- Clinical Rotation II: Alamance-Burlington School System – Burlington, NC (Neuro Pediatrics, 8 weeks)
- Clinical Rotation III: Caldwell Memorial Hospital – Lenoir, NC (Acute Underserved, 8 weeks)
- Clinical Rotation IV: Duke Children’s Hospital – Durham, NC (Inpatient Pediatrics, 12 weeks)
July 2017: Sit for Licensure Exam
August 2017: Doctorate of Physical Therapy, UNC Chapel Hill
September 2017: Begin work as a physical therapist in a pediatric setting
2018 and beyond: Consider completing a pediatric residency program and becoming a Pediatric Certified Specialist
Self-Assessment:
Strengths:
- Professionalism
- Compassion
- Active listening skills
- Wide range of clinical experiences
- Years of experience working with children of all ages
Areas for further development:
- Verbal communication
- Knowledge of billing and reimbursement issues
- Knowledge of pediatric adaptive equipment and orthoses
- Efficient implementation of evidence-based practice
- National conference attendance
Objectives:
Special areas of interest: Pediatrics, Early Intervention
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam in July 2017 to become a licensed clinician in North Carolina
- Graduate from UNC Chapel Hill with DPT degree in August 2017
- Attain a PT position in a pediatric setting by September 2017
- Consider beginning a pediatric residency program by 2022 after gaining several years of experience in the field
Specific Strategies:
- Maintain strong relationships with clinical instructors and other mentors, particularly those in the area of pediatrics
- Seek out continuing competency opportunities related specifically to pediatric topics in order to grow my knowledge and skills in this area
- Maintain active APTA membership
- Attend Combined Sections Meetings and/or the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Annual Conferences
Electives:
Fall 2016
- PHYT 880: Child and Family Assessment and Intervention
Spring 2017
- PHYT 885: Advanced Neuromuscular Intervention
Product Examples:
- Capstone Project – Cranial Molding Deformity: Evidence for Prevention and Treatment in the NICU
- Tummy Time – Neuro Special Topic
- Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury Paper
Reflective Statement:
As I reflect on the past 3 years, I am so grateful to be a part of the UNC DPT program. I have been constantly inspired by the passion and brilliance of my classmates and professors, and I cannot imagine going through this experience without them. I have also had 5 incredible clinical instructors who I cannot thank enough for their patience and generosity in working with me as a student.
Even before knowing that I wanted to pursue physical therapy, I knew that I wanted my career to be centered on children, and this program has allowed me the opportunity to explore my interest in pediatrics within the framework of a generalist curriculum. I am thrilled to have accepted an opportunity as a pediatric physical therapist upon graduation, and I am excited to begin building relationships with these children and their families and continue to grow as a professional. I look forward to seeing all the ways that the class of 2017 will make an impact on the physical therapy profession, and I will always look back and be thankful for my time as a Tar Heel.