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Is getting my SBB worth it? Good/bad experiences with online programs?


rmilford

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I'm wondering if it is valuable to get my SBB. If I have an MLS and 2 years of experience in a very busy, vey well-run hospital blood bank, will completing an SBB program give me additional knowledge that will actually help me run my current blood bank? Can anyone comment on the quality of online programs available? I see programs that are available online and accredited by CAAHEP include: UTMB Health, BioBridge Global, LifeShare Blood Center, Rush University, and oneblood. 

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Getting your SBB is great knowledge to have, and I agree with Cliff that it will open more doors for you to do other things. Having worked in large busy trauma center BB's for 17 years now, I can tell you that my SBB knowledge rarely comes into play in a hospital BB, unless you have ALL the things (complex antibodies, washing/irradiating product, neonatal population, ref lab for system hospitals etc). If you have goals of Ref Lab or a private company, many of them require an SBB. You can also get in with a teaching program with an SBB easier than without. I've heard many hospital labs would like to have their admin directors be blood bankers with an SBB, as it brings a quality eye that other candidates don't have, but it seems rare to find those people because so few of us want to do that job! :) As far as helping you run your blood bank, it likely won't be that beneficial, as most of the curriculum is a deep dive into antibody qualities and rare things, but there is some info on supervisory duties and such. 

I graduated from LifeShare's SBB online program in 2019, after having worked in the BB for 10+ years. I personally liked the online program, as I already was the supervisor of the BB at the time, had two small kids and was not able to move across country to attend a program in person. LifeShare and UTMB share their curriculum, and an SBB from LifeShare is eligible to go on to the Masters in Trans. Med from UTMB should you wish to do that. Katrina Billingsley is the director of the program at LifeShare, and she is fabulous; would highly recommend her program. 

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On 9/6/2022 at 11:59 AM, rmilford said:

I'm wondering if it is valuable to get my SBB. If I have an MLS and 2 years of experience in a very busy, vey well-run hospital blood bank, will completing an SBB program give me additional knowledge that will actually help me run my current blood bank? Can anyone comment on the quality of online programs available? I see programs that are available online and accredited by CAAHEP include: UTMB Health, BioBridge Global, LifeShare Blood Center, Rush University, and oneblood. 

@rmilford, have you considered the DCLS program at UTMB? Since you are considering the SBB, which I think is worth the knowledge alone, you may find that the DCLS program will do the same and more, giving you a terminal degree. I anticipate the role of DCLS will become important in healthcare in the near future. It also opens up more possibilities outside traditional lab roles, including teaching higher education.

Just another thought.

Edited by jayinsat
DCLS is a professional doctorate, not a Ph.D.
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  • 2 weeks later...
On 9/8/2022 at 5:01 AM, jayinsat said:

@rmilford, have you considered the DCLS program at UTMB? Since you are considering the SBB, which I think is worth the knowledge alone, you may find that the DCLS program will do the same and more, giving you a terminal degree. I anticipate the role of DCLS will become important in healthcare in the near future. It also opens up more possibilities outside traditional lab roles, including teaching higher education.

Just another thought.

 

 

 

UTMB also has a Masters of Science Transfusion Medicine(MSTM) program, if you are more interested in furthering your blood banking education. If you already completed an accredited SBB program, you would only need like 24 credits to get your MSTM.  I finished 6 credits already, so  I have only18 more to go. :) 

Like everybody else has mentioned here, it will open more doors for you.  Good luck

 

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On 9/6/2022 at 9:59 AM, rmilford said:

I'm wondering if it is valuable to get my SBB. If I have an MLS and 2 years of experience in a very busy, vey well-run hospital blood bank, will completing an SBB program give me additional knowledge that will actually help me run my current blood bank? Can anyone comment on the quality of online programs available? I see programs that are available online and accredited by CAAHEP include: UTMB Health, BioBridge Global, LifeShare Blood Center, Rush University, and oneblood. 

It will depend on your needs and preferences? Would you prefer distance learning(online) or classroom learning? I got my SBB through Rush University, and it was a very rewarding and enrichening experience!  I really enjoyed it! 

 

Here is a list of SBB programs and their admission requirements. Good luck! 

https://www.aabb.org/education/certificate-programs/specialist-in-blood-bank-technology-and-other-certifications/directory-of-united-states-sbb-education-programs

 

 

 

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