KAYSVILLE—The Catalyst Center opened up a new program this fall that will give high school students the opportunity to become a physical therapy (PT) aide and start working in the field even before graduation. The PT class gives hands-on instruction from two practicing physical therapists and allows students to get a look at what the career would be like.

“It’s been a popular field for a long time,” said Brian Pennock, DPT, ATC, CSCS who team teaches the class with Daniel Sedgwick, DPT, AT-C. “You usually have to do that at the college level to be a physical therapy aide but the Catalyst provides potential career fields. They’ll be prepped and ready upon graduation.”

Right now there are 20 students in the inaugural class, he said. “We didn’t know how it would be received so we capped it at 20 but we have a waiting list. It’s offered on B day only. We didn’t know what the demand would be.”

The class is limited, said Pennock. “It won’t be offered many, many times. It’s not open to all grades with the demand we’ve restricted it to the upper level. Holy cow they wanted to come.”

Some students are drawn to it because they’ve been patients themselves before, he said. “So they’re exploring the profession that way. Others are exploring it as a health option. It’s great because they can find out early on whether to go down that path and decide it’s not for them. They’ll have success either way.”

There are two classes back to back for two and a half hours, Pennock said. “The room is full of treatment tables and also a desk where I explain the anatomy and physiology. Then they jump on the table and test it out with other students. We have treatment type activities that they practice on each other.”

The Catalyst’s mission is integrated hands on, he said. “Students go out to a clinic and observe PT performed in various environments. They’ll be ready as a PT aide/tech and give them an edge on other applicants for a job. They’ll have the training to step out into a position without additional training.”

In some cases if their schedule allows, they don’t have to wait for graduation to get into the field, said Pennock. “They’ll have a certificate of completion through the Catalyst to take to an employer.”

Pennock has been a Physical Therapist for 25 years. “I helped the district as an athletic trainer. May practice is right across the street from the Catalyst. I was on the community advisory board and when I realized they were going to do it, they listed the job, I interviewed and got the job to team teach that.”

Pennock said he manages his current patient load as well as giving the kids a diversity and learning experience. “I’ve been a guest presenter for years and years and now I have my own class. I love it. It’s good. It’s very, very good.”

It’s a nice program, he said. “I’m super excited to be able to offer this in this area. It brings students from all over the district and gives them the unique opportunity to break down any stereotypes from other schools. It unites them in the learning process.”