OTD Student Portfolio
Professional Development Plan
Located here is an overview of my plan for my professional and educational endeavors.
Educational Goals
Goal 1
Identify a preferred population and setting to work with using aquatic based interventions by the end of Capstone experience.
Objectives
Connect with other healthcare professionals where aquatic-based therapy is already prominent.
Identify community, inpatient, and private settings that could use aquatic-based therapy.
Goal 2
Complete the process to submit my scoping review for publication by August 2025.
Objectives
Schedule initial meeting with scoping review advisor, Barbara Elleman to create a plan for updating and editing current scoping review.
Identify three journals for potential submission to learn about specific criteria.
Capstone Goals
Goal 1
Increase knowledge in water safety awareness for young children by the final week of capstone implementation.
Objectives
Provide adaptive safety swimming lessons to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Create a resource guide including the most up-to-date information on water safety for children.
Goal 2
Present on a business plan for a water safety swimming lesson program at Xavier University by the end of capstone.
Objectives
Develop a start-up business plan that includes expenses, pricing, salary.
Identify grants that could be used to provide the opportunity for swimming lessons to children with disabilities.
Professional Goals
1-Year Professional Goal 1
Within one year of graduation, find a position to work in more aquatic-based therapeutic interventions for my client-centered practice.
Objectives
Apply to at least one aquatic-related position each week within Cincinnati Metropolitan Area.
Advocate for positions where occupational aquatic therapy could be integrated within a specific job description.
1-Year Professional Goal 2
Within one year of graduation, present findings from capstone research to OOTA.
Objectives
Complete research analysis of data collected from capstone project.
Write up information from capstone research and connect findings to current literature to justify significance.
5-Year Professional Goal 1
Begin conducting research related to aquatic-based interventions in-collaboration with other occupational therapists by 2030.
Objectives
Work with other occupational therapists to develop pilot protocols for aquatic occupational therapy interventions.
Complete trials of intervention protocol with pediatric population.
5-Year Professional Goal 2
Become a fieldwork educator for level I students by 2027.
Objectives
Contact fieldwork coordinator at place of employment about interest in taking a level I occupational therapy student.
Review the latest standards for fieldwork educators as it applies from ACOTE, and AOTA.
Goals Reflection
As noted in descriptions of my learning styles, strengths evaluation, and personality assessment, the results are not surprising. My goals are focused on innovation and working in an emerging area of practice for occupational therapy. I want to maximize the outcomes for clients that I work with by learning new methods using aquatic-based therapy techniques. I deeply care for people and want to help them find success. Understanding and utilizing aquatics into an intervention allows for more flexibility in a more meaningful practice for those that enjoy the water. As much more freedom it provides, a fairly structured process is necessary to integrate my love of aquatics with occupational therapy. Working in an emerging area of practice will challenge me to adapt and strategically plan my path to become the best occupational therapist that I can be for my clients.