Mentoring for Success:
Steps to Developing Strong Mentoring Relationships as a Great Mentor
VPTA Student Conclave 2015
Your Mentorship Profile
Use this worksheet to develop your mentorship profile. Your profile will help you understand and express what
you hope to gain from your mentoring relationships.
Self-Brainstorming Exercise
In the space below write down areas you would like to develop through mentorship - clinically or professionally.
1) I would like a mentor in order to (rank top 3):
Receive support in my clinical decision making
3) It is most important I interact with my mentor:
Only over email or phone
Assist in my professional development
In person at local conferences, lectures or events
therapy profession
To find my niche in the physical therapy
profession
Advice on maintaining a work-life balance
Improve with patient communication
Other
As needed, I am comfortable with a relationship
that has variation in meeting frequency.
At scheduled or pre-designated time
Other
To gain a better understanding of the physical
2) The guidance I am seeking from my mentor
includes (rank top 3):
Professional development
How to find a job
How to find my niche in the profession
___ How to network
___ Advice for management of complex patients
Other
Goal Setting
At state or national conferences
4) Be honest. The amount of time I hope to spend
with my mentor, on average, is: (circle one)
0 1 2 3 4 5 hour(s)
every 1 week /2 weeks/ 1 month
5) Be honest. The amount of time I will dedicate to
following up/researching following meetings is:
(circle one)
0 1 2 3 4 5 hour(s)
every 1 week/2 weeks/ 1 month
Now draft 3 SMART goals to share with a current or future mentor.
A smart goal is: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound.
1.
2.
3.
"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction." ~US Congressman John C. Crosby
Adopted from APTA NEXT conference Mentorship Breakout session, National Harbor, 2015
Opportunities for Mentorship
You might find APTA members interested in mentoring by looking through the Membership
Directory, Directory of Certified Clinical Specialists in Physical Therapy, in your chapters and
sections, on APTA's Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or right in your office. Find these resources
through www.apta.org
Many APTA Sections offer opportunities for students and new professionals to gain mentorship:
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Section
Cystic Fibrosis PT Mentoring Program (found under “Educational Opportunities” tab)
• Goal: to provide resources and information for physical therapists that are new to
CF with the desired goal of improving the quality of care delivered
Health Policy Administration
Combined Sections Meeting Student Mentorship Program
• Goal: To support and encourage the active engagement in the physical therapy profession
through introductions and mentorship while attending the APTA's Combined Sections
Meeting (CSM).
• Check the HPA website in early September for more information.
Mentoring Resources: On HPA homepage, click on “Education” tab, then “Leadership Institute
(LAMP)”, and scroll to bottom of the page and click on “LAMP Leadership Resources”
• APTA Mentoring Slides
• Concordia Effective Mentoring Practices
• Mentoring Recommended Reading List
Neurology
Mentorship Program
• On homepage, click on “Professional Resources” tab, then “Mentorship”
Orthopedics
Orthopedic Section Mentorship Program (found under “Membership” tab)
• Goal: to create a personal relationship between a student physical therapist and expert in
the profession to empower them to develop their skills and become the clinician they
want to be.
• Designed for DPT students in their
last year of their PT program. Pediatrics
Mentoring Program (under “Members” tab, then “Mentorship/Networking”)
Private Practice
Student Sponsorship Program (under “Student Sponsorship Program”)
• Section sponsors a student for complimentary section dues based on application
Sports Physical Therapy
Mentorship Program (under “Students/Early Career” tab, then “Mentorship”)
• Goal: allows members to ask questions of experts within the Section.
TeamMates (under “Students/Early Career” tab, then “TeamMates”)
• Goal: is to help new and experienced members of the SPTS connect for discussions,
introductions, mentoring, and networking opportunities at conferences.
Tips for Mentees
 Initiate meetings with mentor.
 Be honest with your mentor about your goals for the relationship.
 Clearly communicate your goals for your time together and what you hope to gain from the
relationship.
 Take responsibility for structuring a list of topics for meetings and share them with your
mentor in advance. .
 Respect your mentor’s time by being prepared for meetings. Honor any commitments made
to the mentor.
 Express your appreciation for the mentor’s time and sharing of opportunities with you.
 Enter relationship with a positive attitude.
Adopted from APTA NEXT conference Mentorship Breakout session, National Harbor, 2015