Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificates In Blood Banking For Medical Lab Science
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Despite centuries of medical breakthroughs, there is still no artificial substitute for human blood. However, one blood donor can save three lives by giving one hour of time and one pint or 16 ounces of blood. Donors and blood banks provide literal lifelines to patients who need life-saving vital fluids. But before donor blood enters the national supply, it needs to be tested by a blood bank specialist. These professionals ensure the blood supply is free of disease and label the blood type to be used in transfusions.
Individuals who wish to advance their blood banking careers can opt for an online program and earn a specialist in blood banking or SBB title. In these programs, they learn how to test blood for diseases and antigens, as well as about blood transfusions and the storage of blood. In addition, SBBs can specialize in areas such as immunology, genetics, blood groups, transfusions, donor processing, and administration.
Blood bank technology programs lead to professional certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to earn the SBB(ASCP) credential. To qualify for this and other exams, students must graduate from a program accredited by an organization such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Upon completion of the certificate course, students can work as laboratory administrators, quality managers, technical advisors, and also teachers in blood banking. Most online SBB programs require approximately 12 months to complete by taking didactic coursework online and completing in-person clinicals at a pre-determined blood banking laboratory.
The following article covers eight online certificate programs in blood banking at colleges, universities, and blood centers, and three exceptional faculty members teaching them.
Featured Online Certificates in Blood Banking
The George Washington University (Health Sciences)
Arizona State University
Johns Hopkins University (AAP)
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers
Based in Florida, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers offers an online specialist in blood banking (SBB) certificate, which covers a full range of blood banking and transfusion medicine skills. This program can be completed in one year and prepares graduates to sit for the ASCP SBB exam.
To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, including coursework in biology and chemistry, three years of full-time clinical experience in a CLIA-accredited laboratory, and current certification as a medical technologist in immunohematology. In addition, external applicants must have a minimum of three years of full-time clinical experience in blood banking in an accredited laboratory. Internal applicants must have at least two years experience in a LifeSouth clinical setting.
Once accepted, students complete online coursework and in-person clinical rotations at sites in Florida, Georgia, or local sites that meet program requirements. To pass this program, students must maintain a minimum of 75 percent on module exams and 80 percent on the midterm and final exams.
Courses include human blood groups, advanced immunohematology, and advanced transfusion medicine principles. In addition, clinical rotations must cover a range of topics such as apheresis collections, coagulation, donor collection, mobile collections, and molecular testing.
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $5,000 total
The American Red Cross has several chapters across the United States and offers an online specialist in blood bank technology and transfusion medicine program. This graduate-level program can be completed in one year and prepares graduates for work in advanced blood transfusion procedures.
To be considered for admission, applicants must be current American Red Cross employees and staff with a bachelor’s degree, blood banking certification, resume, a personal statement addressing why the applicant is interested, and undergo a criminal background and drug screening check. Applicants are notified of selection in August.
Graduates from this program boast a 88 percent pass rate on the ASCP SBB certification exam. The American Red Cross pays for tuition fees, and students are responsible for travel and other expenses related to their studies.
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: No tuition cost; travel expenses to be paid for by the student
George Washington (GW) University offers an online post-baccalaureate certificate in blood banking for medical laboratory science. The program provides students with in-depth knowledge of blood transfusions.
Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a grade point average of 2.5 or more, one letter of recommendation, and TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores for international students. The program comprises 16 credits. Some courses are immunohematology, molecular diagnostics, laboratory management, and a blood bank practicum. In addition, students learn how to perform diagnostic analyses and comply with lab safety regulations.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Technologist in Blood Banking, or BB(ASCP) exam. They can work in several settings, including hospital blood banks, independent laboratories, community blood centers, and university-affiliated blood banks.
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
- Tuition: $635 per credit
Rush University offers a fully online blood bank technology certificate. Students can perform and supervise specialized tests in blood centers and transfusion services through the program. The program is ideal for experienced medical laboratory scientists who wish to further their knowledge of immunohematology.
To apply for the program, students must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university in medical laboratory science, biology, or a related field; a minimum grade point average of 3.0; ASCP or NCA certification as an MT or MLS; and full-time immunohematology experience, among other requirements.
Made up of 17 credits, the program prepares students for the specialist in blood bank (SBB) technology certification examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. The coursework includes human blood groups & antibody identification, clinical immunohematology & transfusion, blood procurement, and blood product manufacturing, blood bank and transfusion service operations, an SBB comprehensive review, and an SBB project and clinical practicum.
Students learn how to apply theoretical principles to the practice of blood bank and transfusion services, develop and evaluate blood banking protocols and procedures, and apply basic finance and accounting principles.
At the end of the program, graduates are well-equipped to perform processes such as blood collection and processing, supporting physicians in transfusion therapy, investigating abnormalities, testing for blood group antigens, supervising, and teaching.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $944 per credit
The University Medical Center in New Orleans offers an online specialist in blood bank (SBB) technology program. While the coursework is offered online, students can complete the clinical rotations at facilities of students’ choice.
Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a science-related field, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, MLS(ASCP)/BB(ASCP) certification or equivalent, a minimum of two years of full-time experience, citizenship or legal residency in the United States, and a qualified mentor providing guidance and assistance.
This 12-month online program explores red cell physiology, immunology, transplantation, transfusion practices, molecular testing, transfusion services, coagulation, and hematology. In addition, students are prepared for the SBB examination offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification. At the end of the program, graduates can take up roles such as entry-level supervisors, reference laboratory technologists, managers, and educators in all transfusion medicine and research areas.
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
- Tuition: $5,000
University of Texas Medical Branch
The University of Texas Medical Branch offers an online post-graduate certificate program for specialists in blood banking. All instruction in this program is provided online, and students can complete clinical rotations at a facility of their choosing. While this is an online program, students have the opportunity to interact with program directors via email, phone, and discussion boards.
Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, biology, or a related science, a minimum of two full years post-baccalaureate work experience, and be currently employed in some aspect of blood banking. In addition, they must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended, have a minimum grade point average of 2.75, and have a mentor willing to assist monitor student progress through the SBB training.
The program consists of 19 credits. The courses include an introduction to research in transfusion medicine, blood bank laboratory operations, human blood group systems, advanced immunohematology, advanced transfusion medicine principles, and an applied immunohematology practicum. Successful completion of the program qualifies students to sit for the certifying examination for specialists in blood bank technology (SBB) given by the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Graduates of the program can look forward to employment in hospitals and private clinical laboratories, blood centers, research laboratories, state and public health laboratories, or crime labs.
- Location: Galveston, TX
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $50 per credit (residents); $465 per credit (non-residents)
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Carolinas College of Health Sciences offers an online blood bank specialist technology program. All courses and examinations in this program can be completed online, while students must complete clinical rotations at approved locations of students’ choice.
Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree from a US institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.5; current ASCP certification; current employment in a blood center, transfusion service, or blood bank-related field; a minimum of two years of full-time blood bank-related experience; and a qualified mentor to provide assistance and guidance.
This non-credit program includes two courses: specialist in blood bank technology/transfusion medicine I and specialist in blood bank technology/transfusion medicine II. The first course explores blood products, laboratory mathematics, immunology, physiology, pathophysiology, and laboratory operations. The second course delves into blood group systems, transfusion practice, transplantation, and adverse effects.
The program prepares students to take up advanced roles as technical specialists in blood banking and take the SBB national exam administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Graduates of the program can take up roles as technical supervisors, laboratory administrators, quality regulatory assessors, educators, or researchers.
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Tuition: $2,800 total
BioBridge Global offers an online specialist in blood bank technology (SBB) program. While students can complete the coursework online, students must complete the clinical work at program-approved locations. The program provides students with a complete overview of immunology, transfusion medicine, histocompatibility, molecular biology, and hematology.
Application requirements include a baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field; two years of full-time work experience in clinical blood banking or transfusion; and a current ASCP certification.
This non-credit program includes courses such as blood group systems, immunology, laboratory operations, serology, transfusion practice, blood product, physiology, and pathophysiology. Graduates are awarded a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
Students will have the option to pursue the specialists in blood banking (SBB) national exam administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $5,000 for the program
Professors to Know in Online Certificates in Blood Banking
Clifford Cymrot is the current medical laboratory sciences program director at George Washington University. He teaches various courses within the MLS program, such as clinical microbiology, hematology, an immunohematology lab, a molecular diagnostics lab, and a clinical biochemistry lab. He is a member of professional organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, American Medical Technologists (AMT), and the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB).
He has contributed chapters in the Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology by Mahon, Lehman, and Manuselis. He also received the Academic Achievement Award for Excellence in Scholarship with High Honors. He completed his AAS from Orange County Community College and BS and MHA from the University of Cincinnati. He holds ASCP, AMT, and AAB certifications in medical laboratory science.
Laurie Gillard is the director of the blood bank technology certificate program specialist and an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science at Rush University. She teaches both face-to-face and online through a web-based SBB program. Before Rush University, she taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
One of her primary interests lies in teaching and mentoring students pursuing a career in the clinical laboratory field, especially in transfusion medicine. She completed her MS and SBB from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a BA from Humboldt State University.
LeeAnn Walker is an associate professor of instruction and the program director for the specialist in blood banking program at the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences in the School Of Health Professions at the University of Texas Medical Center in Gavelston, Texas. Her teaching areas of interest include immunohematology and immunology. Her research interests include transfusion medicine education, blood group serology, and testing methods.
Ms. Walker holds a bachelor of science in zoology from Texas A&M University, a bachelor of science in medical terminology, and a master of education from the University of Texas School of Allied Health Sciences. She supervises transfusion services, teaches blood bank students, manages the immunohematology reference laboratories, and directs blood bank manufacturing operations.
