Overview

Specialists in blood bank technologists perform and/or supervise both routine and specialized tests in blood centers and hospital-based transfusion services, using methodology that conforms to the Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services of the American Association of Blood Banks.

The University of Texas Medical Branch Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of AABB Committee on Accreditation of SBB programs.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354

This program has been approved for VA Benefits.

The UTMB SBB program provides comprehensive training in all phases of blood banking. The SBB program is located in the Clinical Laboratory Science Department of the School of Health Professions Building in Galveston, Texas

In 1999, the first distance education program for SBBs started. There have been 120 graduates as of March 2011. Review statistics for the UTMB SBB program by clicking here.

Curriculum

Successful completion of this program will permit the Trainee to sit for the certifying examination for specialists in blood bank technology given by the Board of Registration of the American Society for Clinical Pathology. The program does not lead to a Master's degree, nor is graduate credit given for any of the didactic work. There is a Masters in Transfusion Medicine available for those graduates who have passed the SBB ASCP certifying exam. More information about that program and other CLS programs can be found at http://shp.utmb.edu/cls

The technical and didactic curriculum covers a period of twelve months. All information is provided via the internet and students can do clinical rotations at their facility or other places of their choice.

Eligibility for Acceptance into the program

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in medical laboratory, biological, or related science.

A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a scale of 4.0)

A minimum of one year full-time postbaccalaureate work experience relevant to an immunohematology area within an institution accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.

 International applicants will be considered.

Applications

Applications are reviewed and evaluated upon receipt of all requirements. A numerical system based on references, grades from undergraduate courses, essay, experience and other miscellaneous items will determine the student’s qualification for this program. If the student meets the required number of points, a conference call will then take place so the applicant can ask questions and make an informed decision about accepting a position as a UTMB SBB student.

 

Application deadline for the March 2014 program is July 1, 2013.

Currently we have enough applicants for the program starting 2013.