Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Certificate Program

Program Overview

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The online Specialist in Blood Bank (SBB) Technology Certificate Program is intended to meet the needs of experienced Medical Laboratory Scientists seeking advanced knowledge of Immunohematology and its related disciplines. The SBB Certificate program is designed to prepare students for the SBB certification examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC).

SBB Program Mission Statement

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Our mission is to prepare outstanding Specialist in Blood Bank (SBB) laboratory professionals who will have a spirit of inquiry, a commitment to lifelong learning and service, and who are dedicated to advance the quality and availability of safe blood donations and transfusions.

SBB Program Vision Statement

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The Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Certificate Program will provide a high quality distance learning program for blood banking and transfusion medicine laboratory professions that is recognized among the best in the United States.

Overview of Student Learning Outcomes

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At the completion of the Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Program, the learner will be able to:

1. Develop and evaluate blood bank and transfusion service protocols and procedures, including molecular testing as well as advanced technologies.
2. Incorporate current regulations and standards set by various agencies for blood banks and transfusion services into the daily operation of a clinical laboratory
3. Identify and apply the most current theoretical principles and serological methods to the practice, supervision, and management of blood bank and transfusion services
4. Identify and resolve blood bank and transfusion questions, problems, and clinical case studies through the application of theoretical principles and serological methods
5. Engage in scientific investigations, questions and problems through applied research and appropriate use of resources such as literature review and internet searches
6. Apply basic finance and accounting principles to prepare and analyze budgets and cost justifications
7. Develop technical and supervisory competencies in immunohematology, blood component manufacturing and transfusion medicine
8. Function as managers, educators, researchers or technical consultants and to work as part of the health care team in providing care to patients

Program Accreditation

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The Rush University SBB Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

(25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763; P:727-210-2350, F:727-210-2354, E: mail@caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the AABB Committee on Accreditation of Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Schools (AABB/CoA).

 

 

Minimum Admissions Requirements

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• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university in medical laboratory, biological or related science (The program will accept a BS/BA degree from a foreign institution for admission into the SBB program with the following stipulations:
• The foreign transcript must be evaluated by ECE and the evaluation must result in a determination that the student has earned a BS/BA that is equivalent to a U.S. BS/BA
• The applicant must satisfy the CHS policy for the TOEFL exam)
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
• Documentation of MLS (ASCP), MT(ASCP), or CLS (NCA) Certification
• Two years working experience in an accredited blood bank laboratory
• For non-native English speakers, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Evaluation by the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) of course work completed at a non- U.S. college
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended
• Three reference letters
• A phone interview

Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Technical Standards

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Rush University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of health care professionals representative of the national population.

Our core values - ICARE - Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.

The following technical functions are required of all students enrolled in the Specialist in Blood Bank Technology program:

Acquire information:

• Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in courses such as lecture, group, and physical demonstrations.
• Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches & data retrieval).
• Identify information presented in accessible images from paper, slides, videos with audio description, and transparencies.
• Identify information presented in images from paper, slides, videos, and transparencies.
• Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, verbal, and non-verbal communication.

Use and Interpret:

• Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers. Use and interpret information related to physiologic phenomena generated from diagnostic tools.

Motor:

• Possess psychomotor skills necessary to provide or assist in holistic Specialist in Blood Bank Technology care and perform or assist with procedures and treatments.
• Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide Specialist in Blood Bank Technology care and assessment in emergencies and life support procedures and perform universal precautions against contamination.

Communication:

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families.
• Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors, and all members of the healthcare team during practicum and other learning experiences.
• Accurately elicit information including a medical history and other information to adequately and effectively evaluate a population’s, client’s or patient’s condition.

Intellectual ability:

• Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize data related to diagnosis and treatment of patients and populations.
• Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the Specialist in Blood Bank Technology role.
• Synthesize information, problem solve, and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory, assessment, or treatment strategy.

Behavioral:

• Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances.
• Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need.
• Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings.

Character:

• Demonstrate concern for others.
• Integrity, accountability, interest, and motivation are necessary personal qualities.
• Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the Rush University and Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Code of Ethics.

The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine that they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program, should contact the Office of Student Disability Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs. Given the clinical nature of our programs time may be needed to implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged. To learn more about accommodations at Rush University please contact:

Marie Ferro-Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Manager, Office of Student Disability Services
Rush University
600 S. Paulina St. AAC 440
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-5237
Marie_S_Ferro-Lusk@rush.edu

Curriculum

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The SBB Curriculum is a one- year program consisting of 6 courses. Students may complete the program in three semesters, including a summer semester. A part-time option is available.

The SBB curriculum consists of both online lecture/discussion and clinical experience components. Clinical experiences may be arranged at blood centers and hospitals near the student’s home. In some cases, the student’s place of employment may qualify. Students with prior clinical experience may be eligible to earn credit by proficiency based on a standardized departmental evaluation.