Specialist in Blood Bank Technology and Transfusion Medicine Program

Program Overview

Advance your career in transfusion medicine with the American Red Cross SBB/TM Training Program – a year-long hybrid program combining self-paced online didactic coursework with interactive virtual and in-person clinical experiences. This graduate-level certificate program covers all aspects of blood banking, transfusion medicine, as well as Blood Center, IRL, and hospital transfusion services operations that will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to arrive at solutions to a wide variety of complex transfusion-related problems and challenges.

Our Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB)Program is a comprehensive, advanced training opportunity designed to prepare the next generation of transfusion medicine leaders.

This program is exclusively available to eligible employees of the American Red Cross and select partner hospitals*. If you are part of our organization or a participating partner institution and meet the application criteria, we encourage you to apply! And best of all, tuition is fully covered for those accepted into the program — making this a valuable opportunity to grow your career without the financial burden.
If you are ready to advance your expertise and make a greater impact in transfusion medicine, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity.

You will learn in a flexible format designed for working laboratory professionals, supported by a nationwide network of clinical rotation sites and expert faculty. Upon successful completion, you’ll earn a Specialist in Blood Bank Technology certificate and be eligible to sit for the ASCP SBB certification exam.

*Current partner hospital/medical centers: OHSU in Portland OR, Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis, M Health Fairview in St. Paul MN, CHOA in Atlanta GA, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia PA, Akron Children’s In Akron OH, Virginia Commonwealth University Health, VA Caribbean Healthcare System in San Juan PR, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville TN.

The American Red Cross Specialist in Blood Bank Technology and Transfusion Medicine Program is accredited by CAAHEP, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Specialist in Blood Bank Technology/Transfusion Medicine (CoA-SBBT)

• CAAHEP – 9355 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, (727) 210-2350.
• AABB - 4550 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 700, North Tower, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 907-6977 www.aabb.org

Why Choose the Red Cross SBB Program?
Comprehensive Training:

• Gain in-depth knowledge in donor center operations, manufacturing and distribution of blood products, blood group systems, immunology and physiology as it relates to the field of immunohematology, transfusion services, reference lab techniques, quality systems, and laboratory management. Our curriculum is continually updated to incorporate current knowledge and best practices.

Hybrid Learning Format:

• Enjoy the convenience of online didactic modules and the engagement of live virtual sessions, coupled with concise in-person clinical and virtual rotations. You will complete selected on-site clinical rotations at Red Cross laboratories or approved partner institutions (hospitals or medical centers) to observe practical skills in real-world settings.

Expert Faculty & Mentorship:

• Learn from seasoned SBBs, transfusion medicine physicians, and laboratory supervisors and managers. Each student is required to select an approved local mentor (preferably an SBB-certified technologist or leader, or transfusion medicine MD) who provides one-on-one guidance, ensuring you have support for challenging concepts and professional development throughout the year.

No Tuition for Employees accepted into the program:

• The program is offered at no cost for current American Red Cross employees and employees of our official partner institutions* (hospitals or academic medical centers). This means you can advance your credentials with minimal financial burden.(Note: Students are responsible for any travel or personal expenses during clinical rotations.)

Career Advancement:

• Elevate your career prospects in an exciting, high-demand field.
• SBB certification opens doors to roles such as transfusion service or IRL supervisor or manager, lead technologist or technical specialist in immunohematology reference labs and hospital blood banks, quality assurance specialist, clinical educators, transfusion medicine research associates, biotherapy companies, regulatory agencies, and quality auditors - helping to meet the critical need for advanced blood bank experts.

Pathway to Further Education:

• While the program does not allow advanced placement, transfer credit, or credits for experiential learning, it does, upon completion, award a certificate. And while academic credits are not awarded, after completing our program and obtaining your SBB certification, you may apply up to 6 graduate credits toward the Master of Science in Transfusion Medicine (MSTM) degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) – giving you a head-start if you choose to pursue this master’s degree.

Curriculum & Learning Experience:

Length: 12 months (full-time)
Program Dates: September to August (annual cycle, begins the week after Labor Day).
Format: Hybrid (online coursework with required in-person/virtual labs and rotations).
During the program, you will engage with a broad curriculum that spans the field of transfusion medicine.

Key components include:

Didactic Courses:

Seven modules covering blood bank science and operations. Topics include:

• Blood Products (donor recruitment, collection, manufacturing, component preparation, storage, and distribution)
• Blood Group Systems (blood groups, genetics)
• Transfusion Practices (patient blood management, transfusion testing and practices)
• Immunology and Physiology (As it applies to blood banking, hematology, coagulation, complement),
• Serology and Molecular Testing (Advanced serologic antibody identification methods and techniques, HLA testing, transplantation support, and molecular immunohematology).
• Lab Operations (Quality Systems & Regulatory Compliance, Laboratory Management)
• and Research Project Methods
• Research Project (Guides one through the research process, proposals, IRB, presentation)

Clinical Rotations:

• In-person experiences through a series of rotations arranged in collaboration with Red Cross Blood Services regions and partner hospitals. You will observe and discuss procedures in various settings: blood donor centers, component manufacturing labs, hospital transfusion services, cellular therapy departments, and Immunohematology Reference Laboratories. Rotations may also include specialized experiences such as stem cell processing labs or tissue typing (HLA) labs to broaden your exposure.

• These practica can be completed at a host Red Cross site (see map below for host site locations) in close proximity or your home Red Cross site institution in certain cases, offering flexibility in location. The transfusion services, coagulation, and cellular therapy rotations must take place at a selected partner institution however.

• A short orientation (typically virtual or at a Red Cross site) kicks off the program to introduce you to the Red Cross system and ensure you’re prepared for remote learning and local training.

Professional Development:

• Throughout the year, you will participate in case study discussions, journal club presentations, and microlearning professional development modules to build your problem-solving and leadership skills. You’ll review real-world blood bank problem scenarios and devise evidence-based solutions, honing the decision-making abilities required of an SBB. Communication and teaching opportunities are integrated as well – for instance, presenting a case at journal club or discussing learning with classmates – to prepare you for roles as an educator or team leader in the lab.

Research Project:
• Each student (either individually or as a group) designs and conducts a capstone project on a transfusion medicine topic of interest. This could be an applied research study, a detailed process improvement project, data collection and presentation, or a scholarly review. With mentorship from senior Red Cross staff, you will carry out the project and produce a written report (and an oral presentation). Many students choose projects that solve a real problem at their home blood bank or explore a new process or observation. This experience not only reinforces the scientific method and critical thinking but also results in resume-worthy work (some student projects have led to conference presentations or publications).
Assessment:
• Progress is evaluated via module exams, completed rotation checklists, and performance on your attendance, project and presentations. A 70% minimum cumulative score is required to remain in good standing. On successful completion of all requirements, you will graduate from the program and receive your SBB certificate, becoming immediately eligible to take the ASCP Board of Certification exam for SBB.

SBB Program Outcomes
ASCP SBB certification exam:
• 2019-2020 Class Pass Rate = 100% (2/2 examinees passed)
• 2020-2021 Class Pass Rate = 80% (4/5 examinees passed)
• 2021-2022 Class Pass Rate = 83.3% (5/6 examinees passed)
• 2022-2023 Class Pass Rate = 81.8% (9/11 examinees passed)
• 2023-2024 Class Pass Rate = 38.5% (5/13 examinees passed)