Clinical Assistant Application Essay

My first experience observing a physical therapist, commenced in the summer of 2014. At the time, I was given the opportunity to observe a physical therapist named Jennifer Moreland. Throughout my time observing her, I began to recognize she was not just a physical therapist with her patients. Many times, she took on the role of a consoler, cheerleader, friend and supporter for her patients. Reflecting back on this, I am able to see that the primary reason she has succeeded as a physical therapist; is due to her amiable, encouraging and empathetic nature. These character traits have allowed her to do more than heal patients' musculoskeletal problems. She has also been able to heal hearts, souls and minds by cheering, supporting, listening

Direct access has been extensively promoted in the recent years including the “concept of using research evidence” (McGlynn & Cott, 2007, p. 242) in physical therapy. However, this is easier said than done. Factors including “time constraints” (McGlynn & Scott, 2007, p. 242) is one barrier that physical therapists encounter in their daily practice. Instead of basing decisions on research evidence, it has been noted in the article by McGlynn & Scott (2007) that “clinicians are basing their decisions on information sources other than those advocated for EBP” (p. 242) Physical therapists depend on their “peers, clinical experience, initial training, and continuing education” (McGlynn & Scott, 2007, p. 243) in their daily practice. Now,

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a unique and prestigious program designed to challenge the future Physical Therapists of our society. The rigor and competitive reputation of the program, the focus on collaboration and evidence-based education, and the service to the La Crosse community are just a few of the many reasons I am applying to this program.

The medical field is expanding ever so rapidly in today’s society. In the field of Physical Therapy one needs to have the understanding of how the human body works and the injuries one body could sustain. I have chosen a career to help others to battle back from life-changing injuries or surgeries. I will take the first step of joining the medical field by obtaining a physical therapist associates degree. I will become a Physical Therapist Assistant.

I believe that my personal and professional growth and behavior as a physical therapist is of utmost importance. I base this firstly on my strong connection to those in society who are disadvantaged when it comes to physical therapy, and also on the movement system, movement being “the key to optimal living and quality of life for all people that extends beyond health to every person’s ability to participate in and contribute to society” (American Physical Therapy Association, 2013). This perspective, I believe, is aligned perfectly with the vision statement for the physical therapy profession – to transform society through optimization of movement to improve the human experience (APTA, 2013). After reviewing the vision statement, I strongly believe it will act as my guide by strengthening compassion, reinforcing advocacy, improving quality of service, and strengthening cohesion.

While I shadowed Janet, I noticed that there was a multitude of tedious documentation that she was required to record. She explained that she spends numerous hours outside of work completing this documentation. Aside from the overwhelming amount of documentation, I felt that I could potentially enjoy working in the field of physical therapy. Janet is able to truly work with patients one-on-one and it was heartwarming to see the excitement that Janet expressed when her patients showed progress. As the year progresses, I plan to look into the steps required to become a physical

Core Didactic Courses Course Number/Name Workload Semester/Year Taught DPT 776: Physical Therapy Management of Complex Conditions V *served as co-course coordinator 2-4 Fall 2013. Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2016 DPT 662: Interactions I- Patient-Practitioner Interactions *served as course coordinator 3-6 Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017 DPT 638: Lifespan Development *served as co-course coordinator 2 Summer 2014, Summer 2015, Summer 2016 Core Clinical Supervision Courses DPT 886:

Reading from the article-“Celebrating a Milestone-35 years of PTAs” published by Michele Wojciechowski on 1 Feb. 2004, I feel proud that I am now in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program. The author has outlined several timelines of achieving status in American Physical Therapy Association and National Assembly also, how PTAs achieved their own value. Even after passionate 2 year associate program, I am disappointed to see that PTA program is no longer a stepping stone for Physical Therapist (PT) program.

Professionalism encompasses a plethora of attributes that must be displayed daily by those who strive to be known as the best at what they do. Even though I am about to finish my undergraduate career, the past four years have taught me a few things about being a young, up and coming professional. Going into any physical therapy program, I believe that an even higher standard will be demanded from me as I work towards becoming a licensed professional. Being a professional doctor of physical therapy (DPT) student is incumbent upon having a magnificent work ethic, having a tremendous attention to detail, show up on time, dress appropriately, and respect everyone. These characteristics although just a few, play a crucial role in being the best student I can be.

By obtaining a degree in Kinesiology I can pursue my dreams of becoming a Physical Therapist. I want to become a Physical Therapist so that I can help assist the injured. Due to my participation in numerous sports, I personally know what it feels like to be injured. I believe that having gone through several injuries will allow me to connect with people on a more personal level and earn their trust. As of right now, I am interested in either working with the injured sport players, the elderly, or the wounded veterans. I wish to make a positive difference in someone’s

Over the 3 years, I have learned a vast amount of information about current and modern theories and practices of physical therapy treatment. The knowledge that I have acquired has been tested and refined to provide the most appropriate and beneficial treatment to my patients. To gain this knowledge I have used a variety sources such as textbooks, phone applications, flashcards, web applications, teachers, students, and clinical instructors. For most of my academic career, I believed that intense studying would be the only way to succeed. It was not until graduate school that I discovered that only learning from a textbook would not allow me to succeed as a professional but would prevent my growth and development as a physical therapist.

Excellence: Excellence is a key component behind the practice of evidence-based care in the profession of physical therapy. As a doctoring profession that utilizes high levels of research, the knowledge invested into care will lead to well-constructed successful outcomes. Physical therapy will continue to expand and excel in the quality of patient centered care. I’ve worked hard to meet goals throughout my undergraduate education and will continue to meet higher standards as a graduate student. As a future professional, I will aim far beyond what is necessary to meet basic requirements, and continually pursue growth.

The internship that I acquired during the summer of 2010 at the Greenwood Sports and Industrial Rehabilitation Center (GSIRC), allowed me to gain an immeasurable amount of experience during my tenure at this facility. Within this period, the exposure to new concepts within the physical therapy industry allowed me to observe and work hands on with patients of all ages and disabilities that exposed me to various treatment plans and programs to restore client’s mobility. The essential Physical Education and Exercise Science (PEES) courses taken at Lander University were beneficial to my academic knowledgebase, which prepared me and developed me for the opportunity within the physical therapy discipline. Working as

“Meagen Hill, who is a former kinesiology major at Southeastern Louisiana University, a current physical therapist with the North Louisiana Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic, being a physical therapist is a very tedious job that requires many hours of training and dedication to your patients. Helping your patients and helping them stay strong is the main focus, and this is

Physical Therapy is a growing profession in the healthcare field. There is a continuous flow of patients who need assistance with recovery and the motivation to finish the task. As with any healthcare profession, physical therapy can be very demanding. Therapists can successfully meet those demands by creating a positive environment, continuously learning and educating others. In addition to possessing these characteristics, my interest in physical therapy comes from my experiences as a collegiate athlete and employee of a therapy clinic/gym.