The Growing Clinician: Year 1

Kyle Barnett, PT, DPT, Cert MDT, SFMA, Area Leader

Congratulations! You have survived the grind and graduated from physical therapy school! You have passed your National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)! You are a licensed Physical Therapist!

Then reality hits: The first year of clinical practice is where real learning begins. Transitioning from student to clinician is a whirlwind of emotion. From the “high” of your first successful evaluation to the “low” of realizing the real-world patient doesn’t look like the textbook patterns you’ve studied. Understanding you are responsible for overseeing the wellbeing of your caseload can be incredibly daunting.

Here is a guide to navigating your growth plan during the first year in the clinic:
1. Prioritize Mentorship (Early and Often)

One of the most critical factors in Year 1 is having a support system. Your workplace should offer you a structured mentorship program. A good mentor doesn’t just hold your hand, they ask you questions that challenge your way of thinking. Look for mentorship that includes regular 1-on-1 meetings, hands on skill development, case reviews, and opportunities for direct clinical observation.

2. Master the Art of Communication

While you might be eager to take a high-level manual therapy course, your first year is truly about learning to vary your communication styles to meet your patients where they are. Patients require active listening, need to feel heard, and their stories will offer more diagnostic clues than any information a special test can provide. Learn to listen, ask good questions, and establish a therapeutic alliance with your patients.

3. Commit to Lifelong Learning

Your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree: is just the foundation. Commitment to quality mentorship and strategic continuing education can quickly help you find your niche and grow your tool set. Look for courses that will diversify the types of techniques you can use in the clinic to impact patient outcomes: Graston techniques, taping, manual therapy, and courses that challenge your evaluative thinking process are all quality places to start.

Year one is about beginning to build the skill set that will shape you as a clinician for years to come. Focus on adding knowledge to your tool belt and begin to recognize patterns. Each time you meet a new patient and preform an evaluation, you are no longer starting from “zero”. You will begin each patient visit with all the knowledge learned from prior patients. Every patient teaches you something new.

Your goal is not to be perfect. Your goal is to be 1% better than you were yesterday.

Enjoy the journey!