One of the most important parts of every athletic program is the care, treatment, and professionalism that student-athletes receive from its sports medicine staff. Florida State College thrives on their excellence to provide student-athletes the proper assistance in handling their injuries on and off the field.
Florida State College at Jacksonville has enjoyed a strong and healthy 20 year relationship with Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute who provides outreach sports medicine coverage for all sports. Part of FSCJ’s sports medicine staff is the team Physician Dr. Carlos Tandron. Dr. Tandron has been working with JOI for over 20 years and also is one of JOI’s founding members. JOI also provides Certified Athletic Trainers that who works closely with the team physician/physicians to optimize the student-athlete’s health.
Michelle Duclos, the Head Athletic Trainer for FSCJ, covers the south campus for men/women basketball, volleyball, and cross country. Duclos has been employed with JOI and has been providing sports medicine coverage at FSCJ since 2008. Taylor Carson, the Assistant Athletic Trainer, covers at the north campus for baseball and softball. Both Athletic Trainers aid in supporting over 65 student athletes and work together to provide excellent care for every student-athlete.
An ATC, Certified Athletic Trainer, is an individual who has completed at least a four-year degree in a limited-entry Sports Medicine program and has passed a national exam that enables that person to become certified by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Board of Certification. Once obtaining their certification that individual must become licensed in the state that they practice. Every year that ATC will take continuing education credits to be able to renew their certification/license and stay educated on the latest sports medicine techniques.
Once certified, the individual can provide professional care to the population of student-athletes under the following scope of practice:
- Provide care and education to individuals about prevention of athletic injuries.
- Evaluation and diagnosis of athletic injuries.
- Recognition and immediate care of emergency, acute, and chronic injuries.
- Treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of athletic injuries.
- Health care administration through documentation.
- Professional development through continuing education and well-being.