DPT Portfolios

Professional Goal Statement

After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill’s DPT program I plan to stay in the Triangle area and plan to work in either inpatient rehabilitation or acute care depending on available positions. I enjoy these settings as I am able to work with an interdisciplinary team daily which is extremely important for the patient’s well being. As a newly licensed PT, I plan to continue to grow my critical thinking and leadership skills. I will use my personal history of injuries and PT to enhance my relationships with my patients and provide a safe space to allow them to grow. I hope to provide effective personalized care to every patient with goals of giving them the tools to become more confident in their own abilities and to return to previous level of activities or beyond.

Career Plan

• Past Education:
  • December 2019:
    • NC State University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Human Anatomy. Minors in Sports Science and Nutrition
• Future Plans
  • July 2023
    • Pass NPTE and obtain PT licensure
    • Graduate UNC DPT
  • August- September 2023
    • Begin working as a full time PT
  • By 2026
    • Become a credentialed clinical instructor

Self Assessment

Strengths:

• Self-driven
• Building good rapport and trust with patients
• Organization skills
• Flexibility
• Ability to work on teams
• Safety with patients

Areas of Professional Development:

• Promoting and advocating the profession
• Incorporating the newest research into my practice
• Using my clinical reasoning skills in more advanced patient cases
• Equipment recommendations

Objectives

• Graduate UNC Chapel Hill DPT program in July 2023
• Pass NPTE boards in July 2023
• Secure a full time PT position within 3 months of graduation that provides me with mentorship
• Begin working as clinical instructor within 3 years of working so I can provide mentorship to students

Specific Strategies

• Allocate time to start studying for NPTE multiple months in advance and stick to my schedule
• Participate in integrated clinical experience (ICE) to grow confidence in orthopedic setting
• Use peers, teachers, and clinical instructors as resources for preparing for the future and career searches
• Attend CSM to network and keep up with newer topics/technology in the PT world
• Maintain membership with the APTA to support PT legislation
• Form a strong network of professionals and mentors to help foster my development and continue to challenge my opinions and interventions in order to provide patients with the best possible care

Clinical Experiences

• Clinical Affiliation I: UNC Hospital- Acute Care (Jun-Aug 2021)
• Clinical Affiliation II: Total Rehabilitation- Pediatrics (Feb- Apr 2022)
• Clinical Affiliation III: Spine and Sport: San Diego- Orthopedics (Apr-Jun 2022)
• Clinical Affiliation IV: Duke Regional Hospital- Inpatient Rehabilitation (May- Jul 2023)

Electives

• Integrated Clinical Education (ICE) in Orthopedic Setting, 1 credit
• Advanced Orthopedics Elective, 2 credits
• Advanced Sports Elective, 2 credits
• Research Elective with Dr. Thoma, 1 credit
  • Received a preceptorship through the American College for Rheumatology which allowed me to continue performing research under Dr. Thoma throughout my entire 3rd year

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Participating in expanding my knowledge of DEI topics has been very beneficial for me as it has provided me with an opportunity to continue working on my goal of being a tolerant and inclusive physical therapist. One lesson I am walking away with is the importance of acknowledging any of my implicit biases. I have taken quizzes which allow me to identify any biases I may subconsciously hold. By being open and honest with myself, I am then able to actively combat any biases I may be projecting to patients which can then allow me to provide superior care. The key to continuing this awareness will be to perform self-reflection continuously and to be honest with myself. These skills will be beneficial for not only addressing any implicit biases but for any part of my practice that I hope to grow and adapt. On top of self-refection, being receptive to any feedback about biases I may be projecting without my knowledge is also an important skill I have learned and will allow me to grow as an individual.

Another takeaway I have had from my experiences are the importance of taking an active role when it comes to DEI and not sitting back thinking other people will make a change. Being upfront and honest is the way to make change. This has lead me to come to the conclusion that I would like to volunteer at local schools in geographic areas that may include populations that are less likely to select the physical therapy profession. My hope in doing this would be to bring awareness to the need of diversity in the profession. Continuing to explore different resources that address topics such as justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion will be something that I also will continue to peruse throughout my career as it will be the only way to provide the most tolerant and effective physical therapy services to my patients and to ensure they feel welcomed and heard in my presence. I hope to also be able to bring the resources to the clinic I decide to work at as this can then provide other clinicians with information.

 

Product Examples

• 2023 Capstone Project: Difficulty and Accommodations with Relevant Recreational Activity are Associated with Physical Function, Pain, and Fatigue in Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis- Manuscript

• 2022 Clinical Rotation Inservice- The Effects of Aging on Healing

Reflective Statement

Throughout my time as a student I have seen not only my physical therapy skills develop exponentially, but have also grown as an individual and professional. On clinicals, I have treated in a variety of settings which has allowed me to treat a wide range of patients and develop my communication skills based on the situation. These experiences have also allowed me to work in team environments with different healthcare professionals who have all guided my professionalism and abilities to provide team-based care. I feel that UNC has provided me the skills to be a great physical therapist however now it is my time to apply these skills and grow my individual clinical reasoning skills.

It is an exciting but simultaneously nerve wracking time as becoming a licensed physical therapist draws nearer. The future is uncertain at the moment, but has many possibilities. As I go forward, my decisions will be guided based on what helps to develop my skills as a professional as well as what I find joy in. In the near future my goals will be graduating, passing the NPTE in July and securing a job within 3 months of graduation. Once working, I have goals of taking continuing education classes that help me grow in the setting I am working in. My last clinical has been in inpatient rehab and is something I have truly enjoyed. Therefore I see myself either working in this setting or acute care. Wherever I end up, I would like to assist in possible research studies as a clinician as well as plan to become a CI within 3 years so that I can teach upcoming PTs skills in a supportive and safe environment. I also hope to be able to give back to the UNC DPT program and provide students with a resource to help make transitioning into the world of physical therapy less intimidating.

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