Organization and management of an accredited specialist in blood bank (SBB) technology program

Abstract

Background Specialists in Blood Bank (SBB) Technology play important roles in blood banks, transfusion services, regulatory agencies, educational institutions and other facilities where expertise in blood banking, transfusion medicine, cellular therapy, and tissue transplantation is required. Study design Review of pathways that qualify applicants for a national examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to become a certified specialist and outcomes of accredited programs. Description of a face-to-face, accredited program including review of management topics included in curriculum. Results The first examination was administered in 1954. As of December 2009, the total number certified SBBs was 5,124. There are currently 16 accredited SBB programs in the United States. The programs vary in mode of delivery, length of program, number of students accepted and organization of program officials and faculty but all must follow specific standards and guidelines in order to be accredited. Conclusion Students who successfully complete SBB programs have a higher passing rate than those who attempt the certification examination and have not participated in a program. Students can choose among a variety of programs that differ widely in the way they are managed. The role of management in an SBB program ranges from attracting and retaining individuals, to maintaining an accredited program to finally graduating individuals who not only pass the certification examination but who also confidently contribute to the field.

DARCalleles and Duffy phenotypes in African Americans

“…We thank the staff of the Blood Donor Section for sample collection and of the HLA Laboratory for DNA extraction. Part of this study was completed by KRR as her project work in the SBB program at the NIH (year of graduation, class of 2010) 30 Study design: PS and WAF. Sequencing methods: PS.…”

Inhibition of blood group antibodies by soluble substances

“…This article was authored as a group writing assignment as part of the Specialist in Blood Bank (SBB) training program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine (www.cc.nih.gov/dtm/ education.html). 21 The authors are federal employees. This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program (project ID Z99 CL999999) of the NIH Clinical Center.…”

Flashback 1997: collection of hematopoietic progenitor cells by peripheral blood apheresis after stimulation with granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor

“…Both videos were produced as the project work of Lisa M. Pinkney, DMgt, MT(ASCP)SBB, while studying at the NIH Clinical Center in the Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Program class of 1997. We are grateful for the support of the Office of Clinical Center Communications, the Medical Arts and Photography Branch, and the Events Management Branch, Video Team.…”