Specialist in Blood Bank Technology

For more information about Education and Training, please send us an E-Mail

Click here to download the Application Form

---

Program Description

Gulf Coast School of Blood Bank Technology (GCSBB), sponsored by Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, offers a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) distance program. This SBB program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the American Association of Blood Banks’ Committee on Accreditation of Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Schools (AABB/CoA).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (727-210-2350 www.caahep.org)
1361 Park Street Clearwater, FL 33756

The GCSBB program is a 12-month distance education that is designed for medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists who want to advance their knowledge and career in blood banking and its related disciplines.  This online program utilizes web-based course management system to deliver didactic content to offer a flexible educational experience that does not require on-site attendance. The clinical experience may be obtained through rotation in a blood center, transfusion service, or other clinical laboratory settings.

Each student also performs independent research or critical and evaluative paper in the field of immunohematology. Research papers are submitted to the AABB, South Central Association of Blood Banks, and Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Scholarship Programs.  Between 1993 and 2008, graduates of the SBB program have received 24 scholarship awards, presented 29 paper presentations at AABB, SCABB, and ISBT meetings, and published two papers in Transfusion and Vox Sanguinis.

Upon the successful completion of this program, graduates are awarded a certificate of completion in blood bank technology. Graduates of the GCSBB program are eligible to take the SBB certification examination given by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

A certified SBB will be prepared to assume a variety of positions including supervision/management, reference laboratory, clinical research, or teaching in the health care field.

---

Program Goals

The goal of GCSBB program is to prepare competent entry-level Specialists in Blood Bank Technology/Transfusion Medicine (SBB/TM) in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

 

Criteria for Successful Completion of the GCSBB program

Students are eligible to receive their graduation certificate when the following criteria have been completed and received to the approval of the Program Director: 

• - Written exams: achieved a cumulative score of 75% or higher
• - Practical exam: achieved a score of 90% or higher on each serological specimen
• - Presentations: presented (journal club or equivalent) a minimum of 2 times using PowerPoint
• - Research project or equivalent: completed* to the approval of the Program Director
• - Clinical experience: completed rotation checklists to the approval of the Program Director
• - Lecture evaluation: completed and received by the Program Director
• - SBB Graduate Survey: completed at the end of the SBB program year
• - SBB Employer Survey: completed at the end of the SBB program year

 

*A student who has not completely finished the research project or equivalent at the end of the SBB program year may extend their SBB program for three (3) additional months. Until all requirements have been completed and received by the SBB Program Director, the student will not be granted the SBB certificate or the Program Director’s signature authorizing eligibility for the ASCP BOR registry. Additionally, the student must pay a monthly fee of $200.00 until all requirements are complete.

 

Student Requirements to Successfully Complete the GCSBB Program

Student Attributes:
Students enrolled in the GCSBB Program must be self-motivated, self-disciplined and be committed to keep up with the SBB curriculum workload. The student must be willing and able to commit to 8 to 15 hours per week (or longer, if required), to keep up with the SBB program. Additional requirements to be successful in an online program include good skills in independent learning, organization, time management, and written communication.

 

Computer Requirements
The student must have access to a computer with high-speed Internet as well as word processing and presentation software such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. The student should be proficient in the use of the Internet.

 

Mentor Responsibilities and Qualification
The student must have an individual who is willing and able to serve as a mentor. The mentor plays a critical role in the success of the student. The mentor’s role is to provide counseling and guidance to the student that include but is not limited to: finding rotation facilities, making antibody samples, monitoring student rotation and signing rotation checklist, assisting student with research projects, and evaluating student presentations. The mentor must meet one of the following requirements:

• - MT(ASCP)SBB or SBB(ASCP) or equivalent with a minimum of two years of experience in a donor/testing center, transfusion service, or reference laboratory.
• - MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA),  BB(ASCP) or equivalent with a minimum of three years of experience in a donor/testing center, transfusion service, reference laboratory.
• - If a Pathologist (board certified in Transfusion Medicine or a Director of a Blood Bank) signs as a mentor, the students must identify another SBB/MT who is willing to assist the student during the SBB program year. 
• - Other qualifications must be approved by Program Director.

 

Program Information

Structure: Distance Learning/clinical experience rotation
Duration: 12 months
Fees: $3000/year (non-refundable)
Start Date: May/June, as determined by Program Director
Application Deadline: January 15

Admission Policies & Procedures

The admission policy of the Gulf Coast School of Blood Bank Technology is nondiscriminatory.  All applicants meeting the following requirements will be evaluated for admission into the program regardless of sex, race, religion, creed, national origin or disabling conditions.

Applicant Qualifications

The applicant must have the following qualifications:

• - A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory, biological, or related science.
• - A minimum academic credit of 16 semester hours of biological sciences (microbiology required), 16 semester hours of chemistry (organic chemistry or biochemistry required), and 1 semester hours of math.
• - A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a scale of 4.0) in the undergraduate study.
• - A minimum of two year full-time equivalent post-baccalaureate work experience relevant to immunohematology from an accredited institution and must include ABO/D typing, antigen typing, antibody detection and identification, crossmatch, and elution testing.
• - A citizen or legal resident of the United States.
• - Have identified a qualified mentor who has agreed to provide assistance and guidance.

 

Application Requirements: Documents/Procedures

• - Completed application form
• - Official transcripts from all colleges/universities - received directly from the college/university in a signed, sealed envelope.
• - Copy of MT(ASCP) or CLS (NCA) certificate
• - Listing of continuing education for the past two years
• - Written statement of goals and expectations from SBB education
• - Completed Memo(s) of Understanding for all clinical experience
• - Three letters of recommendation from professional associates - received in a signed, sealed envelope.
• - An interview (by telephone) to determine eligibility, interest, and purpose of graduate study.
   

Admission Evaluation Process

The Admission Committee selects those SBB applicants whose academic and clinical experience will help to achieve a well-rounded Blood Bank Specialist.  The Admissions Committee consists of the SBB Program Director and at least two members from the GCSBB Advisory Committee. Each member will complete an interview form.  The points allotted for the interview are added to the applicant’s subtotal to obtain an overall score. Applicants will be qualified for acceptance to the SBB program in reverse numerical sequence starting with the highest number of points earned and proceeding until all positions are filled. A qualified applicant is officially admitted to the GCSBB program only when the Program Director receives all of the following completed documents:

1. Applicant/Student Acceptance Agreement
2. Mentor Agreement
3. Memo(s) of Understanding for clinical experience
4. Verification of Health Status form

Click here to download the Application Form

 

Contact Information

Clare Wong, MT(ASCP)SBB, SLS
Manager, Education/ SBB School
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center
1400 La Concha Lane
Houston, TX 77054-1802
(713) 791-6201, cwong@giveblood.org

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a distance SBB program?
An online SBB program will provide classroom-type experience but using distance education. Students will be able to participate in an SBB program at their home town without traveling to the location of the SBB program.

 

How do I know if I have the attributes to succeed in a distance education?
Check the following link: “ What Makes a Successful Online Student” at : http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.asp  
This web site gives the qualities that a student must process to be successful in online education.

 

What role does my current work facility play?
The SBB student’s place of employment must acknowledge and support the student’s application to the SBB Program. The facility must complete a Memo of Understanding. Any changes in facility will require a new mentor form or facility form.

 

What is a mentor? What are the mentor’s responsibilities? What qualification must a mentor have?
The mentor plays a critical role in the success of the student to complete the SBB program. The mentor’s role is to provide counseling and guidance to the student that includes but is not limited to:

• Provide assistance to the student if the student has problems.
• Communicate with the SBB Program Director if the student is having trouble with the program.
• Help the student find facilities to provide clinical experience.
• Provide the student with samples, if needed, to complete the homework assignments.
• Review and sign the checklists for clinical experience.

 

The mentor must meet one of the following requirements:

• MT(ASCP)SBB or SBB(ASCP) or equivalent with a minimum of two years of experience in a donor/testing center, transfusion service, or reference laboratory.
• MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA),  BB(ASCP) or equivalent with a minimum of three years of experience in a donor/testing center, transfusion service, or reference laboratory.

 

Who selects my mentor?
You, the student, must select a mentor. The mentor must complete a Mentor Agreement and send in a CV and/or resume. Any changes in mentor will require a new mentor form.

 

What is clinical experience and what are some examples?
Clinical experience is acquired through work experience or rotation and includes but is not limited to donor recruitment, collection, and testing; component preparation/labeling/storage; transfusion service; reference laboratory; HLA and molecular genetics; HPC processing, quality assurance, management and education.

 

Must I complete all clinical experience listed on the rotation checklist during my SBB program year even if I have prior experience?
If a student already has the required clinical experience, that particular clinical experience may be waived provided the student has met all of the following criteria:

1. Worked in that area for at least one year (full time equivalent)
2. The clinical rotation checklist for the experience is approved and signed by the mentor.

How will I obtain the necessary clinical experience?
You can acquire some of the experience at your present place of employment.
You will have to locate other facilities to provide the experience not offered at your present place of employment. Additional facility agreements (Memo of Understanding) must be signed and sent to the Program Director. You can come to The Blood Center to obtain some of the clinical experience.

 

How much time do I have to spend in acquiring the required clinical experience?
The amount of time you will have to spend at different facilities will be different for every student. This depends on your prior experience.

 

What documentation is required for completing the necessary clinical experience?
All items of required clinical experience are listed on a set of checklists. After the checklist is signed by the facility instructor and reviewed by the mentor, it is sent to the SBB Program Director.  These checklists are EXTENSIVE and time consuming.  Remember you are NOT just taking a course to pass the SBB ASCP exam; you are enrolled in a SBB program.

 

What is the fee for this program?
The student will be charged $3000 for the twelve-month program. This fee is divided into two installments. You must pay $1500 by the first day of class. The balance is paid at the 4th month of the program. All fees are non-refundable. Additionally, the student is responsible for textbooks, reagents to solve serological problems, and other charges that may be assessed from the facilities that agree to provide your clinical experience.

 

Do I have to attend any classes at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (GCRBC)?
The SBB student will be required to attend an orientation on-site at GCRBC during the first week of the program.  During this week students will be oriented to the online lectures and exams, attend lectures, develop your schedule and become acquainted with other students.  The SBB student must pay for all costs associated with this week that includes travel and accommodations. Other than the orientation week, the SBB student may need to spend additional time at GCRBC at the recommendation of the Program Director/mentor.

 

What textbooks are required for this SBB program?
A list of references is available at the ASCP BOR Web site: www.ascp.org.
At the minimum, the SBB student must have access to the current edition of the AABB Technical Manual and AABB Standards, as well as a general textbook such as Modern Blood Banking by Harmening.

 

How will I take the written and practical exams?
Written exams will be given online. Unknowns and a practical exam consisting of serological samples will be mailed to you.

 

How will I know what  information to study for the exams?
The SBB student should complete all online lecture, lecture objectives and assignments. Lectures and notes will be provided using Adobe files.  You should seek assistance from your mentor if you have questions about the lecture or exams. The Program Director and Lecturers may be able to clarify questions you may have.

 

What is the minimum passing score of examinations?
The SBB student must take the exams at the scheduled time and pass with a minimum score of 75%. 

 

What if I do not pass the exam the first time or have problems with the program?
Students who did not pass an exam initially or did not take the exam on time will be given one more chance to improve the grade to stay on schedule.  The GCSBB Program reserves the right to dismiss a student who shows persistent poor performance or not keeping up with the SBB program progression. 

 

What are other requirements in addition to completing exams and clinical experience?

In addition to the 12 exams, a midterm, a final written and a practical, the SBB student must also complete a research project or equivalent, present critiques on journal articles and antibody cases, prepare unknown samples and complete a management and education project. For many of you, this will be in addition to your personal job responsibilities. This will be a very busy year.  Students taking an online SBB program must be self-motivated, committed, organized, and have good time management skills.