Professional Goals

As an emerging Doctor of Physical Therapy, setting deliberate milestones ensures continuous clinical excellence, evidence-based care, and dedicated service to the community. Every young doctor has to possess ambitions to grow in their perspective career and here are mine.

Licensure and Clinical Onboarding, Personal Growth as DPT

1-2 Years Post Graduation: Licensure and Work Experience

Action Steps

  • Pass the NPTE and acquire my first job as a Physical Therapist in an inpatient or outpatient setting with a starting salary of 90k or more.

  • Build my resume to compile all of my clinical experience in a professional and enticing manner.

  • Develop job searching abilities for finding the best opportunity for growth, pay, and work/life balance.
  • Facilitate negotiation skills for knowing how to present and sell my skills well.

Resources

  • LinkedIn for building connections.
  • Indeed for job searching.
  • Canva for creative resume building.
  • Research on the job market and fair pay for starting PTs.

3-5 Years Post Graduation: Growth as Clinican

Action Steps

  • Further develop skills as an experienced clinician.

  • Participate in continued education and present in-services often in my work setting.

  • Choose a specialty to focus and build upon.

Resources

  • PT mentorship.
  • Clinical work experience.
  • Personal research and article reviews.

6-10 Years Post Graduation: Mentorship

Action Steps

  • Obtain credentials as a CI and mentor young DPT students for the next generation of physical therapists.

  • Participate in clinical education.

  • Develop effective teaching skills and adapt to different learning styles.

  • Allow student volunteers to shadow and offer mentoring.

Resources

  • Register for the CCIP through APTA.
  • Reach out to nearby schools with DPT programs for students interested in clinical experience.
  • Compassion and understanding of knowing what it was like to have been a student once myself.

Advanced Clinical Specialty Certification

1-2 Years Post Graduation: Certification Preparation

Action Steps

  • Begin formally preparing for orthopedic/sports specialty certification by identifying the certification pathway and meeting prerequisites.
  • Seek opportunities to treat post-operative, sports injury, and return-to-sport patients.
  • Develop competency in orthopedic examination, differential diagnosis, exercise prescription, manual therapy, and return-to-sport testing.

Resources

  • APTA Orthopedics resources
  • Continuing education courses
  • Mentorship from an OCS

3-5 Years Post Graduation: Obtain Certification

Action Steps

  • Earn an orthopedic specialty certification (OCS) and establish myself as a highly competent orthopedic/sports physical therapist.

  • Complete all required clinical and professional requirements.

  • Sit for and pass the OCS examination.

  • Regularly review current sports medicine research and incorporate evidence into clinical practice.

Resources

  • Sports rehabilitation CEUs
  • Peer-reviewed research
  • Strength & conditioning professionals

6-10 Years Post Graduation: Establishment of Reputation

Action Steps

  • Become an established orthopedic/sports PT specializing in the rehabilitation and performance of athletes.

  • Develop a niche within sports PT based on clinical experience and interests.

  • Treat higher-level athletes and complex orthopedic cases.

  • Collaborate with athletic trainers, physicians, strength coaches, and other sports professionals.

Resources

  • Sports medicine team/network
  • Advanced CEU programs
  • Local sports organizations/teams

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