A one year distance learning program in advanced Blood Bank Technology. The Florida Blood Services' (FBS)
SBB Certification Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program
(CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the American Association of Blood Banks' Committee on Accreditation of
Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Schools (AABB/CoA).
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Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-210-2350
http://www.caahep.org/
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Upon successful completion of the program, the student applies to the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
to sit for the national examination to obtain SBB certification.
SBB Career Opportunities
The Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) plays a unique role in the modern blood bank and transfusion service. Skilled
in all blood bank operations, the SBB may follow virtually any career path within the profession. They assume positions
including technical directors, laboratory supervisors and managers, and positions in education, quality assurance and
research.
Educational Requirements of Program
The applicant must have either:
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A baccalaureate degree and 2 years clinical blood bank or transfusion service experience or
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An MT(ASCP) certification with a baccalaureate degree and 1 year clinical blood bank or transfusion service experience.
Description of Program
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This program provides training in all areas of blood banking including basic and advanced serological techniques,
blood donation and product manufacturing, apheresis, viral disease testing, genetics, transfusion medicine
practices, component therapy, quality systems and process control, HLA and transplantation, education and
research, management, blood bank administration and other relevant topics.
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Most lectures and all tests are presented on line. There are 12 exams, a midterm and final. Students have a two
week window in which to take the tests. They must have access to a high speed internet connection for test taking.
If a student is late or does not pass the tests by 75%, s/he will be placed on academic probation. If this occurs
three times, FBS reserves the right to drop a student from the program due to poor performance.
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Rotations - These are to be performed at a transfusion service, blood center and reference lab. The amount of time
varies dependent on the student's previous experience. Clinical experience will be documented on checklists
completed by supervisors at the various sites. It is the student's responsibility to attain agreement with the
necessary sites. It is also the student's responsibility to retain a mentor (SBB or Medical Director) who will
help answer questions and act as a liaison with the Education Coordinator at Florida Blood Services.
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A research or evaluation project is required of each student.
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Unknowns will be sent at midterm for antibody identification.
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Case history problems will be emailed throughout the year.
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A PowerPoint presentation will be developed and performed by each student at the student's institution for continuing education purposes.
Program Information
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Application Deadline:
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October 1
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Fees:
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$3,000. Fees are nonrefundable. One half of amount is due
by January 31st. The remainder is due first week of class.
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Duration:
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12 months
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Start Date:
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March
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Positions Accepted:
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5 (approximate)
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On-site Visits Required:
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3 (total 10-11 days)
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On-site visits to FBS
Students must come to Florida Blood Services in St. Petersburg three times during the school year. The student is
responsible for all costs incurred. The first visit is the first week of class. This is an opportunity to discuss
the program and its requirements, learn how to download lectures, practice test taking, and receive lectures from
FBS staff. It provides a chance to know each other and bond as a class. The second visit is in the fall for a week.
Two days are spent at LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory in Tampa learning HLA. Two days of the week are
spent in management lectures from our staff. One day is reserved for rotations not available at home locations. The
last visit is for graduation. It corresponds with the first day of the next SBB class. This is a time for the old
students to meet the new and impart any wisdom they have learned.
To Apply
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Contact the education coordinator by email or phone. Contact information below.
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Complete the application above and send to the Education Coordinator below by October 1.
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Submit a copy of all undergraduate and post graduate college transcripts to the address below. These may be
photocopies if completely legible. Foreign education credentials need to be evaluated prior to acceptance in
the program. Transcripts may be submitted to: International Education Research Foundation, PO Box 24679, Los
Angeles, CA 90024.
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Qualified applicants will be scheduled for a 15 minute telephone interview with the SBB Committee. Scoring system
is based on points given for experience, grades, references, and the telephone interview.
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Applicants will be notified in December if they are accepted into the program.
Need to Know
This is a TOUGH course. You have to be a self-starter and very disciplined. You should expect to spend at least two hours
a day studying and at least half of your weekend. There is a lot of information to cover and much of it is not something
learned working on the bench. You must have vacation time accrued or be willing to work extra shifts to have the time
necessary to complete the rotations. And even though this is an online course, a team approach with one's classmates is highly recommended. This is a
challenging and worthwhile program, providing an excellent opportunity for growth and to bring knowledge home to those in your blood bank.
For further information contact:
Marjorie W. Doty, MT(ASCP)SBB
Manager, Transfusion Medicine Academic Center
Florida Blood Services
10100 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Phone: (727) 568-5433 Ext. 1514
Fax: (727) 568-1177
Email: mdoty@fbsblood.org
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