PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The SBB student will have the opportunity to obtain and apply the following knowledge and skills:
- Theoretical cognitive aspects of blood banking, transfusion medicine, and cellular therapy principles obtained through lecture objectives and/or practicum rotation objectives,
- Psychomotor skills through rotation checklists, lab assignments, and/or teaching assignments.
- Affective skills through didactic and clinical training in lab operations, teamwork, lab management, and/or professional development.
Program Outcomes
| Graduation Year | Number of Graduates | Number who have taken SBB board exam | Number who passed SBB board exam | Program Pass Rate (%) | National ASCP SBB Pass Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 100% | 55% |
CALENDAR
Important Dates
- July 11: Application Deadline for all documents
- August 4-8: Notification of admission to program
- September 16-19: Orientation and Classes Begin
SEPTEMBER: Orientation
- Onsite orientation at Blood Assurance provides at least 5 of the 13 required clinical rotations
- Virtual Orientation is an option but would not include the required practicums
Module 1: Laboratory Operations
Principles of lab management, education, quality management, human resource management, and laboratory quality systems
Module 2: Human Blood Groups I
Immunology, genetics, biochemical and molecular basis for human blood groups; ABO, Lewis, and secretor studies; importance of blood group antigens/antibodies in transfusion therapy.
Module 3: Human Blood Groups II
Application of genetics, biochemistry, and molecular basis for Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy, Lutheran, Knops, and other blood groups.
Module 4: Advanced Immunohematology I
Pretransfusion testing strategies and procedures; rare blood products and special patient situations; intraoperative blood salvage, component therapy, blood administration and patient blood management.
Module 5: Advanced Immunohematology II
Blood donor recruitment, blood collection, processing and quality control, distribution. Transfusion transmitted disease testing principles, methods, and monitoring.
Module 6: Advanced Transfusion Medicine Principles
Hemostasis, physiology and disorders of the hematopoetic system; hemolytic anemias and hemolytic disease of the newborn and fetus; immunodeficiency disorders and treatment; platelet and histocompatibility antigens; GVHD.
CLINICAL ROTATIONS
There are clinical rotations that must be completed in order to graduate from the program. Clinical rotations are an important part of the SBB experience and are designed to familiarize students with all aspects of transfusion medicine and blood center operations. It is rarely possible to complete all rotations in one location, and the student, with the help of their mentor, are responsible for locating and scheduling the rotations to meet their needs.
Virtual clinical rotations may be available through the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Web-Based User Group affiliation. Permission to complete a virtual rotation may be granted by the Program Director on a case-by-case basis.
Many of the rotations are observational only and can be completed within a relatively short time. Some rotations may be completed during the orientation at Blood Assurance, Inc. blood center in Chattanooga, TN if time allows.
The Immunohematology Reference Lab (IRL) and Transfusion Services rotations will require approximately 20 – 40 hours each to complete and include required hands-on activities. These 2 rotations are of primary importance for the SBB student experience & program completion. At the discretion of the Program Director, students currently working full time in a hospital transfusion service or IRL may request and be given credit for some checklist activities based on experience.