Capstone Implementation
Professional Development Plan
Professional Development Timeline
August 2022:
OT Program Start
October 2024:
Fieldwork Trip to Guatemala
August 2025:
Capstone Begins
November 2025:
Publish Scoping Review
February 2026:
Take NBCOT exam
December 2030:
5-Year Post Graduation
August 2023:
Level 1 Fieldwork begins
January 2025:
Level 2 Fieldwork begins
December 2025:
Capstone Dissemination & Graduation
December 2026:
1-Year Post Graduation
Capstone Project Goal 1
By the end of my capstone experience, I will successfully disseminate the results of my capstone during the Doctoral Capstone Presentation in December of 2025.
Objective 1: Create a presentation slide show that is organized and visually appealing.
​​
Objective 2: Practice my presentation with at least 3 friends and family members beforehand.
​​
Capstone Project Goal 2
By the end of my capstone experience, I will develop my critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to determine effective intervention strategies for working with dementia patients.
Objective 1: Create and present a communication strategies handout for staff to implement when working with dementia patients.
​
Objective 2: Determine appropriate activities to include in the Allen Cognitive Level Screen toolbox based on research and feedback from the OTs at my capstone site. ​
OTD Program Goal 1
By the time I graduate, I will increase my confidence in displaying my clinical skills and ability to effectively educate and present my knowledge to others based on self-reflection and feedback from mentors.
Objective 1: Deliver at least one presentation regarding effective communication strategies to staff at my fieldwork site who work with dementia patients.
Objective 2: Ask for feedback from my fieldwork educator halfway through my first level 2 rotation.
OTD Program Goal 2
By the time I graduate, I will publish my scoping review in a peer-reviewed journal to further contribute to the advancement of research regarding appropriate interventions for older adults with dementia.
Objective 1: Identify 3 peer-reviewed journals to potentially publish my scoping review in during winter break.
Objective 2: Meet with the co-authors of my scoping review every other week on Sundays during level 2 fieldwork rotations to discuss progress.
1-Year Post Graduation Goal 1
Within one year of graduating, I will work with adults or older adults in an assisted living, inpatient rehab, long-term care, or skilled nursing facility.
Objective 1: Talk with occupational therapists who work with older adults to build connections.
​
Objective 2: Research and identify different facilities in the area that are hiring occupational therapists.
​
Objective 3: Submit at least 5 job applications within 5 months of graduating.
1-Year Post Graduation Goal 2
Within one year of graduating, I will pass the NBCOT exam and become a licensed occupational therapist.
Objective 1: Schedule to take the NBCOT exam within 2 months of graduation.
​
Objective 2: Review exam material for 2 hours a day following graduation for 4 out the 7 days of the week leading up to the exam.
​
​
5-Year Post Graduation Goal 1
Within 5 years of graduating, I will be a fieldwork educator to at least one level 2 occupational therapy student from Xavier University.
Objective 1: Set up a time to meet with the fieldwork coordinator about mentoring students within the current setting I am working.
​
Objective 2: Make a list of areas that I want to improve when I am in my level 1 and level 2 fieldwork placements as a student.
​
Objective 3: Become a level 1 fieldwork educator to an occupational therapy student at Xavier.
5-Year Post Graduation Goal 2
Within 5 years of graduating, I will obtain my certification in hand therapy by passing The Hand Therapy Certification Exam.
Objective 1: Obtain 4,000 hours of direct hand therapy practice experience to be eligible to take the exam.
​
Objective 2: Study exam material for at least 1 hour a week for 1 year leading up to the exam.
Leadership Goal
Within 2 years of graduation, I will actively seek opportunities to mentor occupational therapy students or others interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy to encourage a collaborative and empowering professional environment.