B. THE PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO: PROACTIVE DOCUMENTATION OF PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

A professional portfolio is a representative sample of documents identifying who you are as a professional and showcasing the breadth and depth of your professional credentials. A portfolio differs from a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) by being more inclusive. In addition to containing a list of all your previous positions and your educational background, the professional portfolio contains all your:

Professional portfolios describe a professional’s skills and profile the professional’s major accomplishments. All health professionals—whether APCs or physicians—are responsible for compiling essential documents and credentials that establish them as competent and legally, as well as professionally, authorized to practice. Developing your professional portfolio should be the first step you take as a new graduate beginning your practice—or in advancing your practice as an experienced APC. Figure V.2 provides a template for constructing a professional portfolio with a focus on specialty preparation and experience in peri-abortion care.

FIGURE V.2

Professional Portfolio Template—Focus: Peri-Abortion Care

  1. Education and Training: Role Preparation (RN, APN, CNM, NP, PA)
    1. Institutions, program of study, dates
    2. Type of degree, diplomas, certificates, transcripts
    3. Course information: titles, descriptions, units, outlines
    4. Clinical residencies, units/hours, site, preceptors
    5. Procedural skills and special courses (e.g., ACLS, suturing, adolescent health)
  2. Education and Training: Population Preparation (primary care, women’s health)
    1. Institution, program of study, dates, degree and/or certificate
    2. Continuing education contact hour certificates
    3. Course information: titles, descriptions, units, outlines
    4. Clinical residencies, units/hours, site, preceptors
    5. Procedural skills and special courses (e.g., endometrial biopsy, MVA, infertility care, IUD placement, menopause management)
  3. Education and Training: Specialty Preparation (peri-abortion care)
    1. Training program, course of study, dates
    2. Clinical training hours, site, preceptor
    3. Specialty competencies of peri-abortion care: pregnancy options counseling, diagnostics (e.g., ultrasound), abortion counseling, interventions (e.g., MVA, EVA, local anesthesia, cervical dilation, pain management), postabortion care, complication management
    4. Clinical guidelines and standards of care for abortion care (National Abortion Federation, Planned Parenthood Federation Committee of Abortion Providers)
    5. Position abortion care within overall philosophy of care—national health goals, your profession’s philosophy of care, women’s health core competencies
  4. Legal Credential—License
    1. Documentation of state license(s) for basic (RN) or advanced practice (CNM, NP, PA)
    2. Record of application documentation
    3. Copy of license with COPY written over it but not in color
  5. Professional Credential—Certification
    1. Professional certification program
      1. Role certification (CNM, NP, PA)
      2. Population certification (women’s health, family, adult, pediatrics, etc.)
      3. Specialty certification (e.g., colposcopy, first assist for C-sections, medication abortion)
    2. Record certification as voluntary or mandatory (second license for advanced practice)
    3. Documentation of original certification and recertification
  6. Scope-of-Expertise Documents and History
    1. Philosophy of practice documents
    2. Scope and standards of practice (role, population, specialty)
    3. Core competencies (role, population, specialty)
    4. Code of ethics
    5. Employment/practice history
    6. Professional certification program
      1. Institution, dates, role, advancement
    7. Clinical guidelines and standards of care (role, population, specialty)
    8. Other professional credentials
      1. Payer and provider authorization (e.g., federal/private insurances)
      2. Prescriptive and DEA authority
    9. Institution-specific documents
      1. Delegation agreements
      2. Admitting privileges
    10. Special recognition—honors, awards, news clippings
  7. Clinical Accomplishments by Role, Population, and Specialty
    1. Performance appraisals—employment or preceptor (competency-based)
      1. Role performance as CNM, NP, PA
      2. Population competencies: women’s health (e.g., contraception, fertility protection, obstetrics/maternity care, gynecologic expertise or competency)
      3. Specialty competencies: abortion care, including provision of abortion procedure
    2. List of clinical skills and procedures by role, population, and specialty (differentiate these skills from those learned in a formal entry-level or postgraduate training program; list skills learned in the practice setting)
    3. Clinical logs; patient summary data by role, population, and specialty
    4. Sample of clinical documentation
    5. Patient education materials by role, population, and specialty
    6. Evidence of clinical teaching and presentations
      1. Role performance as CNM, NP, PA
      2. Role performance as CNM, NP, PA
  8. Scholarship/Research
    1. Publications, posters, exhibits (by organization or institution)
    2. Project/research summary reports
  9. Professional/Community Service
    1. Professional organization membership—list elected office, committee participation
    2. Community activities—volunteer or elected positions