Professional Behaviors Assessment

Physical Therapy Program

Student Name Rachel Brackman Internship Facility

Clinical Instructor Clinical Dates

Directions: 1. Read the description of each Professional Behavior.

2. Become familiar with the behavioral criteria described in each of the levels.

3. Self assess your performance continually, relative to the Professional Behaviors, using
the behavioral criteria.

At the end of the internship, complete this form.

a) Using a Highlighter Pen, highlight all criteria that describes behaviors you demonstrate in
Beginning (column 1), Intermediate (column 2), Entry Level (column 3) or Post-Entry Level
Professional Behaviors.
b) Identify the level within which you predominately function.
c) Document specific examples of when you demonstrated behaviors from the highest level
highlighted.
d) For each Professional Behavior, list the areas in which you wish to improve.

Share your self assessment with your clinical instructor, specifically seeking his/her feedback.

Have your CI sign that they have read and discussed your self assessment; sign and return to the DCE.

**Professional Behaviors were developed by Warren May, Laurie Kontney and Annette Iglarsh (2010) as
an update to the Generic Abilities.

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1. Critical Thinking - The ability to question logically; identify, generate and evaluate elements of
logical argument; recognize and differentiate facts, appropriate or faulty inferences, and assumptions;
and distinguish relevant from irrelevant information. The ability to appropriately utilize, analyze, and
critically evaluate scientific evidence to develop a logical argument, and to identify and determine the
impact of bias on the decision-making process.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post-Entry Level:

§ Raises relevant § Feels challenged § Distinguishes § Develops new
questions to examine ideas relevant from knowledge through
§ Considers all § Critically analyzes irrelevant patient research,
available the literature and data professional writing
information applies it to patient § Readily and/or professional
§ Articulates ideas management formulates and presentations
§ Understands the § Utilizes didactic critiques § Thoroughly critiques
scientific method knowledge, alternative hypotheses and
§ States the results of research evidence, hypotheses and ideas often crossing
scientific literature and clinical ideas disciplines in
but has not experience to § Infers applicability thought process
developed the formulate new of information § Weighs information
consistent ability to ideas across value based on
critically appraise § Seeks alternative populations source and level of
findings (i.e. ideas § Exhibits evidence
methodology and § Formulates openness to § Identifies complex
conclusion) alternative contradictory patterns of
§ Recognizes holes in hypotheses ideas associations
knowledge base § Critiques § Identifies § Distinguishes when
§ Demonstrates hypotheses and appropriate to think intuitively
acceptance of ideas at a level measures and vs. analytically
limited knowledge consistent with determines § Recognizes own
and experience in knowledge base effectiveness of biases and
knowledge base § Acknowledges applied solutions suspends
presence of efficiently judgmental thinking
contradictions § Justifies solutions § Challenges others
selected to think critically

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

Being a student in higher education I have had to use a lot of critical thinking skills. From taking the
GRE last year to graduating with a Bachelor’s degree I have had to articulate ideas in the classroom to
be able to have the GPA I needed to get into graduate school. Starting my graduate school work I
realize that I have limited knowledge and experience right now but those things will come with time and
help from peer, professors, etc.

Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

I can start to read more research articles to learn how to critically appraise them. Additionally, I can
improve by actively participating in class discussions. I am typically the person that like black and white
answers so being able to get comfortable with the grey area will also help me to develop my critical
thinking skills.

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2. Communication - The ability to communicate effectively (i.e. verbal, non-verbal, reading, writing,
and listening) for varied audiences and purposes.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Demonstrates § Utilizes and § Demonstrates the § Adapts messages
understanding of the modifies ability to maintain to address needs,
English language communication appropriate expectations, and
(verbal and written): (verbal, non-verbal, control of the prior knowledge of
uses correct written and communication the audience to
grammar, accurate electronic) to meet exchange with maximize learning
spelling and the needs of individuals and § Effectively
expression, legible different audiences groups delivers
handwriting § Restates, reflects § Presents messages
§ Recognizes impact and clarifies persuasive and capable of
of non-verbal message(s) explanatory influencing
communication in § Communicates verbal, written or patients, the
self and others collaboratively with electronic community and
§ Recognizes the both individuals and messages with society
verbal and non- groups logical § Provides
verbal characteristics § Collects necessary organization and education locally,
that portray information from all sequencing regionally and/or
confidence pertinent individuals § Maintains open nationally
§ Utilizes electronic in the patient/client and constructive § Mediates conflict
communication management communication
appropriately process § Utilizes
§ Provides effective communication
education (verbal, technology
non-verbal, written effectively and
and electronic) efficiently

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

In the time of COVID-19 using technology to effectively communicate has become second nature. I can
efficiently set up virtual meetings over several different platforms such as Zoom, Webex, Microsoft
Teams, etc. Also, in terms of communicating collaboratively with both individuals and groups I have
been doing this my entire life as a student. From participating on a sports team to working on group
projects I have learned how to communicate to both single individuals and groups. Lastly, I actually
minored in communication during undergrad so I have a lot of knowledge coming in on effective
communication and reading non-verbal cues.

Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

I think the main way I will improve my communication skills is through experience. By practicing in our
intro to interventions class as well as when working with patients in the future I will learn and grow from
those in person experiences. I would also like to improve by just becoming more aware of my
effectiveness when I talk, type, or text. Sometimes I like to ramble on so I think I can improve by
making my sentences short but clear.

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3. Problem Solving – The ability to recognize and define problems, analyze data, develop and
implement solutions, and evaluate outcomes.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Recognizes § Prioritizes problems § Independently § Weighs
problems § Identifies locates, prioritizes advantages and
§ States problems contributors to and uses disadvantages of
clearly problems resources to solve a solution to a
§ Describes known § Consults with problems problem
solutions to problems others to clarify § Accepts § Participates in
§ Identifies resources problems responsibility for outcome studies
needed to develop § Appropriately seeks implementing § Participates in
solutions input or guidance solutions formal quality
§ Uses technology to § Prioritizes § Implements assessment in
search for and locate resources (analysis solutions work environment
resources and critique of § Reassesses § Seeks solutions to
§ Identifies possible resources) solutions community health-
solutions and § Considers § Evaluates related problems
probable outcomes consequences of outcomes § Considers second
possible solutions § Modifies solutions and third order
based on the effects of
outcome and solutions chosen
current evidence
§ Evaluates
generalizability of
current evidence
to a particular
problem

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

Again, just being a student, I have a good beginning foundation for problem solving. Just the other day
we had to analyze a case study in anatomy. We had to identify what was wrong with the patient and
then brainstorm ideas for how we could go about fixing the issue. Also, in my undergrad ethics class
we had to analyze case studies and problem solve what action we wanted to take in those unique,
complicated ethical situations.

Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

One thing I would like to improve on is evaluating outcomes after a problem has been solved. In the
past after solving a problem I would just move on. However, going back and evaluating what I could
have done better or what I did well will help me to improve my problem solving to apply those skills
more effectively in the future.

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4. Interpersonal Skills – The ability to interact effectively with patients, families, colleagues, other
health care professionals, and the community in a culturally aware manner.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Maintains § Recognizes the non- § Demonstrates § Establishes mentor
professional verbal active listening relationships
demeanor in all communication and skills and reflects § Recognizes the
interactions emotions that others back to original impact that non-
§ Demonstrates bring to professional concern to verbal
interest in patients interactions determine course communication and
as individuals § Establishes trust of action the emotions of self
§ Communicates § Seeks to gain input § Responds and others have
with others in a from others effectively to during interactions
respectful and § Respects role of unexpected and demonstrates
confident manner others situations the ability to modify
§ Respects § Accommodates § Demonstrates the behaviors of
differences in differences in ability to build self and others
personality, learning styles as partnerships during the
lifestyle and appropriate § Applies conflict interaction
learning styles management
during interactions strategies when
with all persons dealing with
§ Maintains challenging
confidentiality in all interactions
interactions § Recognizes the
§ Recognizes the impact of non-
emotions and bias verbal
that one brings to communication
all professional and emotional
interactions responses during
interactions and
modifies own
behaviors based
on them

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

During my shadowing opportunities I talked to patients all the time and maintained confidentiality when
I left the clinic. Also, I used to volunteer at a hospital where I transported patients around and I have
worked in customer service for many years now. I am always respectful and professional when making
conversations with either patients or customers.

Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

With this skill I think a lot of improvement will come with experience throughout my time in clinicals. In
the meantime, I can work to establish trust with my classmates as well as start to be more aware of
non-verbal communication of the people I am communicating with and practicing my active listening
skills such as making eye contact, paraphrasing back what someone said to me, etc.

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5. Responsibility – The ability to be accountable for the outcomes of personal and professional
actions and to follow through on commitments that encompass the profession within the scope of work,
community and social responsibilities.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Demonstrates § Displays awareness § Educates patients § Recognizes role as
punctuality of and sensitivity to as consumers of a leader
§ Provides a safe diverse populations health care § Encourages and
and secure § Completes projects services displays leadership
environment for without prompting § Encourages § Facilitates program
patients § Delegates tasks as patient development and
§ Assumes needed accountability modification
responsibility for § Collaborates with § Directs patients to § Promotes clinical
actions team members, other health care training for students
§ Follows through on patients and families professionals as and coworkers
commitments § Provides evidence- needed § Monitors and
§ Articulates based patient care § Acts as a patient adapts to changes
limitations and advocate in the health care
readiness to learn § Promotes system
§ Abides by all evidence-based § Promotes service
policies of practice in health to the community
academic program care settings
and clinical facility § Accepts
responsibility for
implementing
solutions
§ Demonstrates
accountability for
all decisions and
behaviors in
academic and
clinical settings

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

I have had several jobs throughout my lifetime. I am always very punctual when it comes to showing up
for a shift. I also always assume responsibility for my actions. For example, once I had mistakenly filed
several documents incorrectly at work and when my boss asked who was responsible instead of
staying quiet, I took responsibility for the mistake.

Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

One thing I would like to improve on is delegating tasks. Sometimes I tend to take on too many
responsibilities which causes me an unhealthy level of stress. I need to learn to say no and not take on
as many responsibilities. That way I can complete all my responsibilities to the best of my ability rather
than spreading myself out too thin.

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6. Professionalism – The ability to exhibit appropriate professional conduct and to represent the
profession effectively while promoting the growth/development of the Physical Therapy profession.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Abides by all Level: § Demonstrates understanding § Actively
aspects of the § Identifies of scope of practice as promotes and
academic program positive evidenced by treatment of advocates for
honor code and the professional patients within scope of the profession
APTA Code of role models practice, referring to other § Pursues
Ethics within the healthcare professionals as leadership roles
§ Demonstrates academic and necessary § Supports
awareness of state clinical § Provides patient/family research
licensure settings centered care at all times as § Participates in
regulations § Acts on moral evidenced by provision of program
§ Projects commitment patient/family education, development
professional image during all seeking patient input and § Participates in
§ Attends academic and informed consent for all education of the
professional clinical aspects of care and community
meetings activities maintenance of patient dignity § Demonstrates
§ Demonstrates § Identifies § Seeks excellence in the ability to
cultural/generational when the input professional practice by practice
awareness, ethical of classmates, participation in professional effectively in
values, respect, and co-workers organizations and attendance multiple settings
continuous regard and other at sessions or participation in § Acts as a clinical
for all classmates, healthcare activities that further instructor
academic and professionals education/professional § Advocates for
clinical faculty/staff, will result in development the patient, the
patients, families, optimal § Utilizes evidence to guide community and
and other outcome and clinical decision making and society
healthcare acts the provision of patient care,
providers accordingly to following guidelines for best
attain such practices
input and § Discusses role of physical
share decision therapy within the healthcare
making system and in population
§ Discusses health
societal § Demonstrates leadership in
expectations collaboration with both
of the individuals and groups
profession

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

I project a professional image by dressing appropriately everyday for work as well as speak in a
professional manner. I treat everyone with respect no matter how different they are from me in terms of
values and beliefs. For example, I had an older adult call the office and asked how to order a transcript.
I realized that due to generational differences he might be as technologically advanced as other people
are so I made sure to take my time and clearly walk him through each and every step.

Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

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Since we just recently went over the APTA code of ethics and state laws I can improve by reflecting on
those ethical principles and becoming even more familiar with all of the laws that I must follow as a
future PT.

7. Use of Constructive Feedback – The ability to seek out and identify quality sources of feedback,
reflect on and integrate the feedback, and provide meaningful feedback to others.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Demonstrates § Critiques own § Independently § Engages in non-
active listening performance engages in a judgmental, constructive
skills accurately continual problem-solving
§ Assesses own § Responds process of self- discussions
performance effectively to evaluation of § Acts as conduit for
§ Actively seeks constructive skills, knowledge feedback between
feedback from feedback and abilities multiple sources
appropriate § Utilizes feedback § Seeks feedback § Seeks feedback from a
sources when establishing from variety of sources to
§ Demonstrates professional and patients/clients include
receptive patient related and students/supervisees/
behavior and goals peers/mentors peers/supervisors/patients
positive attitude § Develops and § Readily § Utilizes feedback when
toward feedback implements a plan integrates analyzing and updating
§ Incorporates of action in feedback professional goals
specific response to provided from a
feedback into feedback variety of
behaviors § Provides sources to
§ Maintains two- constructive and improve skills,
way timely feedback knowledge and
communication abilities
without § Uses multiple
defensiveness approaches
when responding
to feedback
§ Reconciles
differences with
sensitivity
§ Modifies
feedback given
to
patients/clients
according to
their learning
styles

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

In undergrad I would go to my professors’ office hours to go over questions that I missed on exams or
points that I missed on projects. I then use that feedback to do a better job on the next exam or project.
Another example would be when I didn’t get selected for a job a really wanted. I reached out to the
interviewer to talk about what I could improve for any future job opportunities that would come my way.

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Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

I would like to improve by actively seeking out feedback from my professors by setting up meetings
with them or by being more confident to ask questions during class. Sometimes I can be a little hurt by
negative feedback so I want to improve by keeping an open mind and reflecting on what I can do
better.

8. Effective Use of Time and Resources – The ability to manage time and resources effectively to
obtain the maximum possible benefit.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Comes prepared for the § Utilizes effective § Uses current best § Advances
day’s methods of evidence profession by
activities/responsibilities searching for § Collaborates with contributing to the
§ Identifies resource evidence for members of the body of
limitations (i.e. practice decisions team to maximize knowledge
information, time, § Recognizes own the impact of (outcomes, case
experience) resource treatment studies, etc)
§ Determines when and contributions available § Applies best
how much § Shares § Has the ability to evidence
help/assistance is knowledge and set boundaries, considering
needed collaborates with negotiate, available
§ Accesses current staff to utilize compromise, and resources and
evidence in a timely best current set realistic constraints
manner evidence expectations § Organizes and
§ Verbalizes productivity § Discusses and § Gathers data and prioritizes
standards and identifies implements effectively effectively
barriers to meeting strategies for interprets and § Prioritizes
productivity standards meeting assimilates the multiple demands
§ Self-identifies and productivity data to determine and situations
initiates learning standards plan of care that arise on a
opportunities during § Identifies need for § Utilizes given day
unscheduled time and seeks community § Mentors peers
referrals to other resources in and supervisees
disciplines discharge in increasing
planning productivity
§ Adjusts plans, and/or
schedule etc. as effectiveness
patient needs and without
circumstances decrement in
dictate quality of care
§ Meets productivity
standards of
facility while
providing quality
care and
completing non-
productive work
activities

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I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

One of my tasks for my summer job was to call all incoming students to remind them of their
orientations. I quickly realized that I was not going to be able to do this project all on my own by the
given due date so I determined how much help I was going to need and relayed that to my boss. In this
instance I identified the resource limitation as time.

Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

Start to read more research articles so that I can work on improving how to assess articles in a quicker
manner as well as search for articles that pertain to my topic in a more effective timely manner.

9. Stress Management – The ability to identify sources of stress and to develop and implement
effective coping behaviors; this applies for interactions for: self, patient/clients and their families,
members of the health care team and in work/life scenarios.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Recognizes own § Actively employs § Demonstrates § Recognizes when
stressors stress management appropriate problems are
§ Recognizes techniques affective unsolvable
distress or § Reconciles responses in all § Assists others in
problems in others inconsistencies in situations recognizing and
§ Seeks assistance the educational § Responds calmly managing stressors
as needed process to urgent situations § Demonstrates
§ Maintains § Maintains balance with reflection and preventative
professional between debriefing as approach to stress
demeanor in all professional and needed management
situations personal life § Prioritizes multiple § Establishes support
§ Accepts constructive commitments networks for self
feedback and § Reconciles and others
clarifies expectations inconsistencies § Offers solutions to
§ Establishes outlets within the reduction of
to cope with professional, stress
stressors personal and § Models work/life
work/life balance through
environments health/wellness
§ Demonstrates behaviors in
ability to defuse professional and
potential stressors personal life
with self and
others

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self assessment:

Just being a human being has led me to have to prioritize many commitments such as work, school,
family, relationships, etc. I have learned over the years the best stress relieving strategies that work for
me which includes exercising, listening to music, cooking, etc. and I actively use these methods every
day to maintain a healthy amount of stress.

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Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

Now that we are in the middle of the semester I have noticed that my stress coping strategies are not
always the healthiest. For example, to take a break from studying I will get on my phone instead of
exercising or I will binge eat junk food during very stressful weeks. I never really had this problem in
undergrad so I want to improve by setting up a schedule for me to follow and prioritizing the tasks I
need to accomplish.

10. Commitment to Learning – The ability to self-direct learning to include the identification of needs
and sources of learning; and to continually seek and apply new knowledge, behaviors, and skills.

Beginning Level: Intermediate Level: Entry Level: Post Entry Level:

§ Prioritizes § Researches and § Respectfully § Acts as a mentor not
information needs studies areas questions only to other PT’s, but
§ Analyzes and where own conventional to other health
subdivides large knowledge base is wisdom professionals
questions into lacking in order to § Formulates and § Utilizes mentors who
components augment learning re-evaluates have knowledge
§ Identifies own and practice position based on available to them
learning needs § Applies new available § Continues to seek and
based on information and re- evidence review relevant
previous evaluates § Demonstrates literature
experiences performance confidence in § Works towards clinical
§ Welcomes and/or § Accepts that there sharing new specialty certifications
seeks new may be more than knowledge with § Seeks specialty
learning one answer to a all staff levels training
opportunities problem § Modifies § Is committed to
§ Seeks out § Recognizes the programs and understanding the
professional need to and is able treatments based PT’s role in the health
literature to verify solutions to on newly-learned care environment
§ Plans and problems skills and today (i.e. wellness
presents an in- § Reads articles considerations clinics, massage
service, research critically and § Consults with therapy, holistic
or cases studies understands limits other health medicine)
of application to professionals and § Pursues participation
professional physical in clinical education as
practice therapists for an educational
treatment ideas opportunity

I function predominantly in the beginning / intermediate / entry / post entry level

Examples of behaviors to support my self-assessment:

In intro to interventions I am starting to learn to be okay with learning new things through failing. Just
last week we were practicing transfers and I was the PT and had to go through a patient scenario that I
had never seen before. I tried it out and by doing so welcomed the opportunity to learn.

Regarding this Professional Behavior, I would like to improve in the following ways:

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 Now that we are starting to learn how to appraise research articles, I would like to start doing a better
job of reading up on new trials or evidence-based practices. I would also like to improve by asking
more questions in the classroom if I am curious about a topic.

Professional Development Plan:

Based on my self-assessment of my Professional Behaviors and the areas I have identified for
improvement, I am setting the following goals:

• Starting September 2021 show a better commitment to learning by reading one research article
every month on a topic I am interested in
• Engage in healthier coping strategies for stress by creating a workout plan on Saturday of each
week and complete at least 90% of the workouts for each week
• Starting in the fall semester meet at least twice a semester with a professor to discuss progress
throughout the program to develop a better use of constructive feedback
• Expand critical thinking and problem-solving skills by participating in class at least three times a
week and start a journal that I will write in once a week to reflect on my confidence

To accomplish these goals, I will take the following specific actions:

• Read and analyze 1 research article every month

• Set up a meeting with Dr. Just to work on responding effectively to and utilizing feedback on
my skills in intro to interventions

• Set up a workout schedule at the beginning of each week and set an alarm on my phone to
remind me to commit to that workout for the day

• Participate a minimum of three times per week during class either by asking a question or
answering a question posed by professor

By my signature below, I indicate that I have completed this self-assessment and sought feedback from
my CI regarding my self-assessment.

Student Signature: Date: ____7/5/21______

CI feedback/suggestions.

CI signature: Date:

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1. On Saturday of each week compose a workout plan for the upcoming week and

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