Specialist in Blood Bank Certificate Program

Rush University's new Specialist in Blood Bank (SBB) certificate program offers a flexible online educational experience that does not require face-to-face classes. WebCT is a Web-based course management system that delivers course content online while concomitantly supporting discussion and active learning.
 
After completion of the program, students are eligible to take the SBB certification examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Registry. Certification by the ASCP is required for designation as an SBB.

In addition, graduate credits earned through the Specialist in Blood Bank certificate program may be integrated with Rush University's master of science degree in clinical laboratory management.  An MS degree-bound student may thereby simultaneously fulfill certification course requirements while completing an MS degree.

Two educational tracks:

Option One: The traditional SBB curriculum includes a series of eight online courses that provides clinical and didactic instruction to students. It also includes clinical rotations, testing of unknown samples, independent research, technical writing, presentations, and online lecture-discussion components.  Practicum experiences may be arranged at the student's place of employment, local or regional blood centers, or major local or regional medical centers.

Option Two: The professional development curriculum is designed for students who:

1. are eligible to sit for the ASCP SBB qualification exam (ASCP eligibility information is available at: http://www.ascp.org/Certification/CertifyingExaminations/cert_procedures/eligibility/sbb.aspx);  or
2. are interested in the theoretical aspects and current practices of blood donation and transfusion. The professional development curriculum consists of six online courses that may be used as a structured review for participants interested in passing the ASCP SBB certification exam through special eligibility routes. ASCP, not Rush University, determines individual eligibility to sit for the ASCP SBB certification exam. No clinical rotations, testing of unknown blood samples, independent research, technical writing or presentations are required for the professional development curriculum.

Minimum Admission Requirements

The following are required of the applicant to be considered for admission:

• a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in medical laboratory, biological, or related science,
• a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0), and
• a minimum of one year full-time post-baccalaureate work experience relevant to an immunohematology area within an institution accredited by a recognized accrediting agency

Curriculum