Compassionate and driven physical therapist seeking a career opportunity in neurologic rehabilitation in the inpatient setting, open to exploring academic environments.
Customer service professional with over 10 years experience, skilled in building strong interpersonal relationships with patients and care-partners.
Proven record of developing salient, patient-centered physical therapy goals and treatment plans, catering to the individual's mobility needs, activity, and participation goals.
Passionate about delivering holistic, evidence-based rehabilitative care through collaboration with healthcare providers to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Neurologic Physical Therapist
Good Shepherd Penn Partners Outpatient Rehabilitation
Philadelphia, PA
10.2022 - 08.2024
Provided evidence-based physical therapy treatment interventions for individuals with neurological and orthopedic diagnoses.
Directed and administered post-operative physical therapy plans of care and interventions following cervical and lumbar laminectomies and fusions, posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and Chiari decompression, among others.
Treated patients with chronic pain conditions, which may involve various contextual and psychogenic factors, such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cancer (CA), among others.
Regular communication with PTAs was maintained concerning shared patients to ensure the seamless delivery of appropriate, effective, and meaningful PT care, grounded in best practices and patient needs.
Educated patients and caregivers to ensure the transfer of learned functional skills to home and community settings, enhancing mobility, safety, and minimizing risk of falls.
Directed patients and caregivers to onsite case manager for assistance with financial support, transportation, food security, mental health services, home accessibility/DME, and other needs.
Participated in educational bi-weekly 'huddles,' including case studies, hands-on skills labs, multidisciplinary presentations, and interdisciplinary 'patient rounds' with PT, OT, and SLP to optimize care and outcomes.
Conducted two in-service sessions related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and vestibular dysfunction, as well as the standardization of MS multidisciplinary care and management to encourage best practices based on current evidence.
Assessed and provided orthotic and/or FES interventions to support ambulation, coordinated and engaged in patient evaluations for AFOs and lower extremity bracing.
Experience in utilizing Alter G anti-gravity treadmill to administer high-intensity gait training at a reduced percentage of patient's body weight, thereby driving neuroplasticity for enhanced patient outcomes.
Per Diem Physical Therapist
Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Physical Therapy
Camden, NJ
07.2022 - 02.2023
Practiced evidence-based physical therapy in an acute care setting on a medical-surgical unit, including training hours in critical care units/ICU, with line management responsibilities, PT evaluations, and treatment sessions.
Recommendations for discharge planning were submitted, taking into account clinical presentation/acuity, performance measures, and functional abilities, along with contextual factors such as the level of caregiver assistance required versus the ability to provide, housing accessibility, and security concerns.
Collaborated with other healthcare professionals, i.e. nurses, internists, hospitalists, case managers, respiratory, occupational, and SLP therapists, to adopt a team-based approach to patient care.
Implemented a comprehensive approach to patient safety during the administration of physical therapy by integrating objective measures like blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate and rhythm evaluation, while incorporating subjective patient reports for a holistic assessment.
Conducted comprehensive chart reviews to ensure the suitability of physical therapy evaluation and treatment for patients based on lab values, trends, acuity of illness/condition, and recent procedures/surgeries in accordance with institutional policies.
Independently managed and organized daily caseloads, prioritizing patient needs and competing factors such as discharge preparation, evaluation requirements, and procedure schedules.
Rehabilitation Aide & Medical Secretary
Virtua Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
Voorhees, NJ
03.2019 - 07.2022
Provided therapeutic assistance to PT/PTA, including guarding, bed mobility, transfers, and ambulation, within acute care and inpatient settings during evaluations and treatment sessions.
Utilized medical secretarial expertise to coordinate insurance matters, schedule appointments efficiently, and deliver exceptional customer service in an outpatient environment.
Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation
Encompass Health Rehabilitation
Altoona, PA
03.2022 - 06.2022
CE III IP acute rehabilitation, achieved 100% of CI's daily caseload (6 patients), concurrent treatment times of 15 minutes, during 75-minute treatment sessions
Evaluated and treated patients exhibiting complex medical needs, including neurologic and orthopedic conditions; post-Covid pneumonia, CVA, and contraversive pushing; both non-traumatic and traumatic SCI; b/l IM nailing; various orthopedic surgeries, including LE amputation; and simultaneously managed comorbidities like DMT2, PD, DCA, HF, COPD.
Demonstrated commitment to providing interdisciplinary care by actively participating in weekly team conferences and discharge planning.
Delivered an in-service presentation: 'Case Study Exploration of Neurologic Insult Following Covid-Pneumonia: PT Insights,' centered on a patient case of Covid-pneumonia with subsequent CVA, presumably due to Covid.
Introduced and implemented 'Post Covid-19 Functional Status (PCFS) Scale,' a proposed validated outcome measure to Encompass Rehab for patients s/p Covid-19.
Community Pro Bono PT Service
11th Street Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic
Philadelphia, PA
10.2021 - 06.2022
Pro bono physical therapy services were provided with documentation at a student-run outpatient clinic for underinsured or uninsured local community members in North Philadelphia, under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and an associate professor.
Evaluated and treated patients presenting with orthopedic and neurologic conditions alongside competing contextual factors, multiple comorbidities, and high ACE scores.
Implemented trauma-informed care (TIC) techniques, fostering a safe environment by avoiding triggering language or treatment practices to promote therapeutic alliance and patient-clinician rapport.
Gained cultural sensitivity and practiced cultural humility through the provision of care to a diverse patient demographic, including diversity of race, nationality, ethnicity, sexual and gender identities and orientations, and several religious affiliations.
Identified how social determinants of health contributed to detrimental health outcomes and restricted individuals from accessing preventative healthcare services, sustaining a cyclic pattern of negativity.
Geriatric In-Home Outpatient
Fox Rehabilitation
Salem County, NJ
01.2022 - 03.2022
CE II geriatric 'outpatient in-home' and assisted living facilities physical therapy services.
Treated medically complex geriatric patients with diverse conditions and functional decline, as well as a 39-year-old with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy.
Provided physical therapy services, education, and support to patients in an underserved area of Salem County, NJ, increasing cultural sensitivity through interactions with diverse populations.
Facilitated educational in-service and open discussions addressing the challenges faced by informal caregivers (CG), including CG burden and burnout, to raise awareness within the profession. Developed a comprehensive handout listing local resources available for CGs.
Engaged in interviews with local community-based resource provider 'Salem County Office of Aging and Disability' as well as 4 informal CGs to evaluate resource availability, gain insights into CG experiences, situations, and perspectives on burnout.
Outpatient Post-Acute Rehabilitation
Virtua Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Voorhees, NJ
01.2020 - 03.2020
CE I, treated over 50% of CI's caseload in OP setting, up to 9 patients daily, provided aquatic therapy intervention 3 hours each week
In-service presentation, 'Spinocerebellar Ataxia: A Case Study,' based on the evaluation and treatment of a pediatric patient with SCA, age 17, with ataxia and high falls risk.
Incorporated 'Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia,' or SARA, into clinic practices to provide an objective assessment tool for patients with ataxia.
Practiced risk stratification and identification of contraindications to exercise through assessment of health history.
Administered fitness assessments to establish baseline fitness levels and screened for postural and movement dysfunction and asymmetries.
Designed and implemented exercise programs for members of the medically integrated fitness program 'Next Step,' catering to individuals with orthopedic injuries, obesity, cancer, diabetes, etc., which acted as a bridge to facilitate their transition into the community fitness environment. Conducted 2 classes per week over an 8-week duration.
Conducted various group fitness classes, such as circuit-based, strength, and aerobics, and provided individualized, one-on-one personal training expertise as an ACE certified personal trainer equipped with ACE certification in sports nutrition.
Established and taught 'Women and Weights,' an exclusive 8-week training initiative focusing on women and resistance training, covering essential exercise techniques in major movement patterns, appropriate progressions and regressions, and exercise programming concepts.
Site Manager/Head Personal Trainer
HealthEase Inc. - Logan Square Fitness
Philadelphia, PA
09.2014 - 10.2015
Implemented comprehensive administrative and financial strategies incorporating member tracking systems, monthly billing services as well as marketing initiatives.
Planned and executed a successful corporate 'Fit Fair' by collaborating with outside vendors, devising engaging incentives for members (both current and prospective), administering fitness assessments and health screenings, and organizing raffle prize distributions, with more than 100 attendees.
Increased business expansion and attained an 18.2% growth in member base under one year.
Manager/Bartender
Fat Tuesday Bar & Restaurant
Philadelphia, PA
09.2012 - 03.2015
Demonstrated exceptional performance by quickly progressing from server to bartender, culminating in a managerial role within just 4 months
Oversaw the work of 10+ employees per shift to maintain high standards for customer service quality, satisfaction, and safety.
Head Track and Field Coach
Gloucester Catholic Jr/Senior High School & St. Mary Parish
Gloucester City, NJ
03.2011 - 05.2013
Led a team of over 15 young student-athletes aged from 7 to 14 by providing coaching expertise in sprinting, distance running, and different field events
Hosted and organized tri-meets, delegated parental officiating duties, maintained records, attended league meetings, and designed age-appropriate training programs for athletes in-season.
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy -
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
06.2022
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology, Exercise and Sports Science
Dragon Service Award recipient, Drexel University Department of Physical Rehabilitation
Clinical Service Award recipient, Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions
Certification
AHA BLS CPR Certified
LVST BIG Certified, April 2022 - April 2024
PA, NJ, and applied for DE PT License
Affiliations
Combined Sections Meeting, APTA, 2022 Poster Presentation, "You've got to get down to get up: Diaphragmatic effects of prolonged mechanical ventilation"
The Society of Student Run Free Clinics 2022 Poster Presentation and publication, "Better Backs and Joints (BBJ) Program," collaboration with Drexel Medical Student
Research Study Collaborator, June 2022 through present, "Tele-Exercise Empowering Mobility (TEEMS)," teaching group tele-exercise to individuals with chronic SCI
Timeline
Neurologic Physical Therapist
Good Shepherd Penn Partners Outpatient Rehabilitation