Professional Portfolio

Professional Portfolio

Julie Bettencourt SPTA
Berwyn, IL 60402
c: 773-458-5181

[email protected]

Table of Contents

Professional Overview
Personal Belief Statement
Cover Letter
Resume

Sample Professional Work
In Service Presentation- SIJD Overview and Treatment Plan
Collaborative Online Presentation- Lumbar Discectomy Treatment Plan
Physical Therapy Case Study- Cerebrovascular Accident

Certifications/Licenses
CPR Certification American Red Cross
(NPTE PTA License expected Fall 2021)

Professional Memberships
American Physical Therapy Association

Community Involvement
Spina Bifida Association Annual Christmas Party Volunteer 2019
Student Panel Member, Morton College PTA Program

Professional Overview

Belief Statement

I believe physical therapy can be a life changer- it certainly changed mine. About five years ago I began
experiencing debilitating neck pain I had never felt before. I had been into fitness my entire life, but I
could no longer participate in the things I loved to do. My activity levels plummeted. I felt like I was
stuck in a body that no longer cooperated with me and I was really bummed out. The culprit? As a
teenager I suffered a few untreated whiplash injuries that came back to haunt me later in life.

I was lucky to find a physical therapist who helped me understand how to use my body in a more
functional way. It turns out that because of these old injuries, I began compensating without realizing it
and developed bad postural habits and movement patterns that led to dysfunction. She helped me with the
pain, sure, but she also helped me to help myself through postural retraining (it’s a work in progress!) and
awareness. I will always be grateful to her, and in fact, the experience made me realize I wanted to do
something more with my life. I was inspired to pursue the field of physical therapy because I was so
interested in the work we did together in her clinic, plus I knew I loved working with people. Becoming a
PTA seemed right up my alley, so the choice was made.

Now, as I complete my academic studies and move towards my future career, the plan is to mold my
patient care philosophy around the APTA core values of compassion, collaboration, and excellence; not
settling for mediocracy. I believe these professional values in particular fit with my personal values, and I
intend to cultivate them further as I gain more patient experience and knowledge in my field.

Through the field of physical therapy, as a personal and professional mission, I will strive to empower
and improve the outlook and life circumstances of others just as was done for me years ago.

Julie Bettencourt

Berwyn, IL 60402
[email protected]

773-458-5181

27 April 2021
RE: Physical Therapist Assistant Position
Dear Hiring Manager,

I was motivated to contact you upon learning that (target company) has an opening for a new Physical
Therapist Assistant. For several years I have focused my career path and academic pursuits on Physical
Therapy and completion of the PTA program with Morton College. As a personal mission, I strive to
empower and improve the outlook and life circumstances of others.
I believe that being genuine and nurturing, along with being professional and driven, is an essential
combination for people in my field. I possess well-developed skills in providing therapeutic interventions,
patient education, and concise documentation as well as intrinsic skills such as compassion, empathy, and
understanding. In addition, my abilities extend to critical thinking, clinical problem solving, and
collaboration. Being multicultural myself as well as working with people from diverse backgrounds has
provided me with a deep understanding and awareness of differences in both patients/clients and
organizations. These qualities will help to support (target company)'s mission, while reflecting positively on
the professionalism and ethical standards of its employees.
For further details of my qualifications, background, and contributions, please take a moment to review my
enclosed resume. I believe that I can successfully be the Physical Therapist Assistant that you're seeking, and
I welcome the opportunity to talk to you at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,
Julie Bettencourt

Julie Bettencourt

[email protected] / 773-458-5181 / Berwyn, IL 60402

Summary Education

Compassionate Physical Therapist Assistant skilled in patient care and providing 05/2021
therapeutic interventions utilizing research based measures is seeking a position in Morton College
a healthcare setting where a pleasant manner, an aptitude for collaborating with Cicero, IL
practitioners, and well developed clinical decision making is sought after. Associate of Applied Science: PTA
Program
Clinical Experience ● 3.9 Cumulative GPA

Advanced Spine and Orthopedics - Clinical Intern 02/2021 - 03/2021 Skills
Oak Lawn, IL
● Clinical Judgement
● Provided physical therapy interventions to a variety of out-patient orthopedic ● Patient Centered
conditions ranging from patients with low back pain, rotator cuff ● Detail Oriented
impingements, post TKA, and post THA, spinal fusions, and work ● Time Management
conditioning. ● Documentation
● Cultural Awareness
● Skilled care included pain management, gait training, postural training, stair ● Communicative
navigation training, modalities, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and ● Compassionate
patient education.
Languages
● Studied treatment plans and adjusted exercises periodically to maximize
benefits. Spanish: Intermediate Proficiency
Portuguese: Native Proficiency
● Facilitated best care by developing strong and trusting rapport with patients.
Professional Achievements
St. Joseph Village of Chicago - Clinical Observer 06/2018 - 06/2018
Chicago, IL ● APTA Student Member
● IPTA Student Member
● Observed work of physical therapy professionals and made verbal observations ● Phi Theta Kappa Nominee
about tasks performed. ● Volunteer, Illinois Spina Bifida

● Interacted with patients in a friendly and professional manner. Association Holiday Family Gala,
● Shadowed physical therapy professionals for a total of 30 hours to learn best 12/2019

approaches with patients. Certifications

Professional References ● American Heart Association BLS
Provider CPR Certification
Beth Gilmartin PTA, Program Instructor- Morton College
[email protected] ● NPTE PTA License (Anticipated
P: 708-408-8121 Fall 2021)
Cara Bonick PTA, Program Instructor- Morton College
[email protected]
Robert Philipps PT, MOMT- Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Care
[email protected]
P: 708-599-5000

Sample Professional Work

SIJD In Service Presentation
This is an In-Service I presented while on a clinical rotation at an orthopedic outpatient clinic. It led to an
interesting discussion on the intersections of low back pain and sacroiliac dysfunction.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction:
Condition Overview and
Interventions

Julie Bettencourt, SPTA
Morton College, Fall 2020

Collaborative Presentation-Lumbar Discectomy Treatment Plan
This is a collaborative presentation I worked on with a classmate on a lumbar discectomy treatment
plan. This came in very handy during my first rotation at an orthopedic and spine clinic where we
treated several patients who had undergone lumbar laminectomies and discectomies.

Physical Therapy Case Study-Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
I put together an intervention plan for a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) patient during my Intro to
Disease class. I am especially interested in Neurological interventions for stroke patients, as my
grandmother suffered a stroke that left an impression on me at a young age. As it turns out, we can
reduce the risk of stroke by modifying certain risk factors.

Certifications and Licenses





Professional Memberships