The online Blood Bank Technology program curriculum provides intensive professional study in both theoretical and clinical educational areas of immunohematology for the experienced clinical laboratory scientist. The theory portion includes didactic online courses. The clinical component is provided in blood center and transfusion service settings.
The Blood Bank Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Specialist in Blood Bank Technology Programs.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
35 East Wacker Drive Suite 1970
Chicago, IL 60601-2208
312-553-9355
The program currently accepts up to 8 part-time students. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the certification examination for Specialist in Blood Bank Technology administered by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
The online program acknowleges the contributions of several partners and individuals who assisted in its creation. View a flyer describing the BBT program. Adobe Reader is needed to view the flyer.
COURSES
Link to a listing of the courses required for the program. To find out when the courses will be offered, link to the course catalog, select the program and click search. Catalog search results will return the schedules for at least two semesters, but not all programs are scheduled that far in advance.
PROGRAM ADVISOR
Ms. Barbara Laird-Fryer, MT(ASCP)SBB
Education Coordinator, BBT Program
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75390-8878
Phone: 214-648-1780
Fax: 214-648-1029
Email: barbara.fryer@UTSouthwestern.edu
GETTING STARTED
The didactic courses are delivered online. These courses include modules and fully illustrated units which incorporate reading assignments, case studies, computer interactive learning activities, discussion boards, chat, and other assigned activities.
A portion of the clinical courses are delivered online, while other aspects of the clinical practice may be performed in the student’s local area.
During the student selection process, the applicant must identify a mentor and potential clinical instructors for the Clinical Practice Courses. The applicant must also identify the primary transfusion service and blood center in which the applicant, if accepted as a student, will perform clinical practice.
Clinical Mentor Selection and Approval
The mentor must meet one of the following requirements:
- The mentor must be an MT(ASCP)SBB or SBB(ASCP) certified individual or equivalent with a minimum of two years of experience in a donor center, plasma center, testing center, transfusion service, reference laboratory, or vendor or research laboratory; or
- The mentor must be an MT(ASCP) or CLS(NCA) certified individual or equivalent with a minimum of three years of experience in a donor center, plasma center, testing center, transfusion service, reference laboratory, or vendor or research laboratory; or
- The mentor must be a BB(ASCP) certified individual or equivalent with a minimum of three years of experience in a donor center, plasma center, testing center, transfusion service, reference laboratory, or vendor or research laboratory.
A student may recommend someone to serve as a mentor. However, a mentor’s résumé and/or CV must be reviewed and accepted by the Education Coordinator of the BBT Program. A telephone interview may also be required.
Clinical Instructor Selection and Approval
The student and designated mentor must identify clinical instructors for each area of required clinical rotation. Each clinical instructor’s resume or survey form must be reviewed and accepted by The UT Southwestern BBT Program Education Coordinator.
The clinical instructor must meet one of the following requirements and be acceptable to the BBT Program Education Coordinator:
- The clinical instructor must be an MT(ASCP)SBB or SBB(ASCP) certified individual with a minimum of one year of experience in the area of instruction, or
- The clinical instructor must be an MT(ASCP) or CLS(NCA) certified individual with a minimum of two years of experience in the area of instruction, or
- The clinical instructor must be a BB(ASCP) certified individual with a minimum of two years of experience in the area of instruction, or
- The clinical instructor must be a manager/supervisor or trainer with two years of experience in the area of instruction.
Clinical Instruction Exemption
A student may be exempted from a given rotation or clinical instruction experience if the student has met all of the following criteria:
- Worked in that area of instruction for at least two years.
- Passed the didactic exams or course for that area of instruction with a score of > 80%.
- Passed any practical exams over any area that is required for completion of the course with a score of > 80%.
- Experience for the area of instruction must be reviewed and approved by the BBT Education Coordinator.
- Experience for the area of instruction must be reviewed and approved by the assigned mentor.
For application information, visit the Blood Bank Technology page on The UT Southwestern Medical Center website. Additional information can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page.