Career Goals

1. Feel confident and comfortable about my preferences.

In the next 3-5 years, I would like to develop my own style of practice. I would like to feel comfortable about the outcomes I decide and confident that the interventions I choose will ultimately benefit my patients. I think an important part of that is to make my interventions defensible. I would like to be able to support my decisions with a strong evidence-based approach so as never to feel like I am shooting in the dark. I think the ability to feel confident in the work I do will play a major part in my satisfaction with a job. However, to achieve that confidence requires care and discipline.

This goal is also important in establishing workplace comfort. Comfort in the workplace optimizes overall performance. I think an open line of communication is important so that if I am feeling overwhelmed or overworked, I can say so without feeling as though I am treading on eggshells. Basically, I think a healthy work-life balance is important for me, but ultimately also benefits the patients under my care.

2. Develop a personal data collection of patient archetypes.

In line with my previous goal, I have always enjoyed being a data-driven decision maker. One thing I had always wished I had done in my first clinical experience was to keep track of the charges I made to quantify what was my work here worth? In the same vein, I would like to keep track of the diagnoses of patients I see and have my own HIPAA-compliant record of what has and has not worked for me. I think this kind of data could also inform any future continuing education courses that I might want to create.

3. Feel like a part of a community.

Having been in ‘life-limbo’ for so many years, I am excited at the prospect of being in a single place for a longer period of time than, say, a year. There are many perks to just being part of a community and knowing that you, as a professional, are a community member serving the needs of others. This takes the form of competent and impactful employment, which I fully intend to deliver. However, it also takes the form of giving back time and resources. Resources can go towards local APTA chapters, or local organizations that support particular populations. Community involvement can also take the form of giving time to organizations that may do pro bono work like the CARES clinic at VCU. I will plan to join the Medical Reserve Corps of wherever I may be and will always look for organizations that deliver services to the underserved and underinsured.

Additionally, I plan to be a community bastion of health and wellness. That’s what this blog serves to do. That’s why I believe in health as the first wealth. I will do my part to progress healthcare from a reactionary service to a proactive one.