Specialist in Blood Bank Technology and Transfusion Medicine Program

This year-long program incorporates all aspects of blood center operations: whole blood collection, apheresis collections, blood component preparation and curriculum devoted to aiding in the solution of complex transfusion-related problems, including selection of rare donor units for patients’ needs. Hospital and other facility rotations are included for observation of advanced transfusion medicine practices, such as HLA, Transplantation Medicine, Stem Cell processing, and Molecular testing.

Program Summary

• The American Red Cross SBB 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 Schools, sponsored by the AABB.
• CAAHEP - 25400 US Highway 19 N. Suite158 Clearwater, FL 33763 (727) 210-2350, www.caahep.org
• AABB -  4550 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 700, North Tower, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 907-6977 www.aabb.org
• A certificate is awarded to graduates of the program, which allows the graduates to take the Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) examination offered by ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) www.ascp.org.
• Successful completion of an SBB program and SBB exam will enable an individual to pursue many career paths: working in a hospital, immunohematology reference laboratory, blood center, governmental agency, or other health care related industry. Depending on an SBB’s interest and skills, roles in administration, management/supervision, clinical research, and teaching are possible.
• During the first year of the revised SBB Program only current American Red Cross employees will be considered for admission. Thereafter, preference will be given to current American Red Cross employees and their official academic partners.

SBB Program Outcomes    

• ASCP SBB certification exam:

Total attempts pass rate (2006-18) = 94% (16/17 graduates)                 

3-year (2016-18) 1st time pass rate = 100% (4/4 graduates)

5-year (2014-18) 1st time pass rate = 83% (5/6 graduates)

• Graduate positive placement (employment):

5-year positive placement (2014-18) = 100%

Application Process

• A list of the admission requirements can be found here.
• To apply now click here.
• Application checklist.

Contact Information

SBB Program Director: Kirk Kitchen, MT(ASCP)SBB at kirk.kitchen@redcross.org.