Specialist in Blood Banking Technology Program

The Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services (CBC/CTS) Specialist in Blood Banking Technology (SBBT) Program provides comprehensive training in all phases of blood banking.

Program at a Glance 

Program Overview

The CBC/CTS SBBT program is a 12-month distance education program that is designed for medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists who want to advance their knowledge and career in blood banking and its related disciplines. The didactic portion of the program utilizes a web-based course management system to deliver course content in a series of 12 modules that does not require on-site attendance. Tests and homework assignments based on the didactic material are also delivered via a web-based course management system. The student is also responsible for completing clinical rotations that may be obtained through blood centers, transfusion services, and other clinical laboratory settings.

Students are also expected to demonstrate professional development by delivering at least two power point presentations, developing case studies and "wet" samples for peers/students, and performing independent research which culminates in a publishable research paper.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded a certificate of completion. This certificate of completion allows the student to take the Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) exam as offered by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). The CBC/CTS SBBT program does not lead to a Master's degree, nor is graduate credit given for any of the didactic or clinical rotations. Certification as an SBB will allow the individual to pursue a variety of positions including supervision/management, research, teaching, and reference laboratory technologists.

Program Objectives

To provide graduates with advanced knowledge and increased confidence in the areas of education, consultation, administration, supervision, and research in the fields of Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine.
The emphasis of the SBBT program is the mastery of fundamental knowledge in the areas of Immunology and Immunohematology, and to master general approaches to systematic, disciplined problem solving.

Application Requirements

Applicant Qualifications

• Must have MT(ASCP), BB(ASCP) or CLS(NCA) certification.
• Must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in medical laboratory, biological or related science.
• A minimum grade point average of 2.7 (on a scale of 4.0) in the undergraduate study.
• A minimum of two years full-time, post-baccalaureate degree experience relevant to immunohematology from an accredited institution.
• A U.S. citizen.
• Have identified a qualified mentor who has agreed to provide assistance and guidance.
• Pass a background check.

The Successful Student

Students enrolled in the CBC/CTS SBBT program must be self-motivated, self-disciplined and committed to keeping up with the SBB curriculum workload. The student must be willing and able to commit 15-20 hours per week (or longer) to keep up in the SBB program. Additional requirements to be successful in the program include skills in independent learning, organization, time management, and written communication.

This is a TOUGH course. You have to be a self-starter and very disciplined. All students are warned from the beginning of the program about "the slippery slope of procrastination" that previous students have found themselves on! There is a lot of information to cover and "falling behind" is hard to recover from. It is suggested you have vacation time accrued and be willing to use it to complete clinical rotations. And even though this is an "on-line" course, a team approach with one's classmates is highly recommended.

The student must have access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection, as well as word processing and presentation software capabilities. The student should be proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; the student must also be proficient in navigating the internet.

Mentor Responsibilities and Qualifications

Each student must have an individual who is willing to serve as a mentor. The role of the mentor plays a critical role in the success of the SBB student, especially since the course is "on-line" and the student has limited interaction with other individuals. The mentor's role is to provide counseling and guidance to the student that includes, but is not limited to, assisting in research projects, evaluating presentations, providing samples/reagents, helping to schedule clinical rotations, answering questions, and communicating with the program director and/or education coordinator. At the very minimum, the mentor must be an MT(ASCP) or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years experience in a donor/testing center, transfusion service, or Immunohematology Reference Laboratory. A pathologist board-certified in Transfusion Medicine or who serves as the director of a blood bank may serve as a mentor, but the student must identify an MT who is also willing to assist the student as needed. Any other qualifications of the mentor must be approved by the SBB Program Director and Medical Director. The SBBT program director reserves the right to disapprove of a chosen mentor. All students must have a Mentoring Agreement form on file with the SBBT program director.

On Site Attendance

All students must travel to Dayton, at their own expense, at the beginning of the program for a 3 day orientation session. The orientation will include how to access the on-line information, how to take tests on-line, and information on grading, expectations, and program policies. It will also give the students an opportunity to meet each other in order to form a "class bond". The students will also be able to talk to a graduate of the program to find out how to study and what to expect.

Admission Evaluation Process

The CBC/CTS SBBT Advisory Committee selects students for admission to the program based on a point system. Points are awarded for work experience, undergraduate GPA, references, work location, and personal interview. Candidates are ranked by a minimum of 8 advisory committee members and then the individual rankings are combined to pick the top candidates. The program accepts a maximum of 4-6 students per class. Background checks will be performed on all accepted students; the student will be billed a nominal fee for the background check.

The admission policy of the CBC/CTS SBBT program is nondiscriminatory. All applicants meeting the requirements of admission will be evaluated for admission into the program regardless of sex, age, race, religion, creed, national origin or disabling conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who selects the mentor?

The student is responsible for selecting a qualified mentor. All mentors must complete a Mentor Agreement form and supply a current CV or resume.

What kinds of clinical rotations do I need to complete?

Examples of rotations include, but are not limited to, reference laboratory, donor testing, HLA and molecular genetics, transfusion service, quality assurance, management and education, transfusion medicine, donor collections (including apheresis), component preparation, donor recruitment, and product storage and distribution.

How are clinical rotations scheduled?

The student is responsible for scheduling all clinical rotations. A Memo of Understanding must be completed for each facility supplying clinical rotations. It is HIGHLY suggested that potential students contact facilities for the required clinical rotations before committing to the program. Any clinical rotation may be completed at the Community Blood Center in Dayton at the student's own expense.

Do I have to complete all the clinical rotations if I have prior experience in that area?

No. Clinical rotations may be waived at the discretion of the SBBT program director if the student is able to document the appropriate work experience.

What textbooks are required for the program?

The student is not required to purchase any textbooks for the program. A list of suggested reference material is available at the ASCP BOR website: http://www.ascp.org. The student must have access of the current edition of the AABB Technical Manual and the current edition of the AABB Standards for Transfusion Services/Blood Banks.

What is the minimum passing score for written exams?

The student must achieve a minimum of 75% on each exam.

Additional Questions

If you have any additional questions about the SBBT program, please contact:

Nancy Lang, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB

SBBT Program Director

Community Blood Center

Dayton, Ohio 45402

937-461-3293

nlang@cbccts.org