Post-Graduate Categorical Certificate Program Specialist in Blood Banking

Curriculum

Specialist in Blood Bank Technology (SBB) program is designed to prepare individuals to become certified and to supervise routine and specialized tests in blood centers, hospital-based transfusion services and reference labs.

SBB certification

The University of Texas Medical Branch SBB Certificate Program is a 12-month (3 semester) University program of didactic and clinical instruction, awarding 19 graduate credits for completion of the curriculum. The UTMB SBB program provides comprehensive training in all areas of blood banking. The UTMB SBB program is located in the Clinical Laboratory Science Department of the School of Health Professions Building in Galveston, Texas.

The UTMB SBB can be combined with the Masters in Transfusion Medicine degree program (MSTM) through completion of an additional 3-4 semesters, culminating in a research project and thesis. After completion of the Certificate Program, the student must challenge and pass the SBB(ASCP) exam to continue on with the MSTM degree program.

Program of Study

The technical and didactic curriculum of the SBB Certificate Program covers a period of 12 months, starting in April each year with a 3-4 day mandatory orientation. All instruction is provided via distance technology and students can do clinical rotations at their place of employment or other facilities of their choice. Students will be eligible to sit for the SBB(ASCP) exam after successful completion of the third semester.

Total Credit Hours: 19

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For the MSTM program, students must hold SBB(ASCP) certification by completing a CAAHEP-accredited program within the last 5 years or by the experience route. Students who complete the UTMB SBB Certification Program may enter the MSTM program in the summer following completion of SBB certification with approval of the Admissions Committee.

Graduation Specialist in Blood Bank Program

Students may choose to return to UTMB for graduation. The SBB graduation is held in late April and includes the annual L. Jean Stubbins Memorial Lectureship. We sponsor a well-known Transfusion Medicine professional each year who provides a lecture at the Houston Antibody Club on Thursday evening, followed by the L. Jean Stubbins Lecture on Friday afternoon. Graduates are invited to dinner with staff, lecturers and special invited guests. Graduation for the MSTM students is held each August in conjunction with the School of Health Professions graduation. MSTM graduates are invited to participate in the pomp and circumstance of a graduation ceremony at that time.