Calling any SBB's

[LaraT23]

Not sure what forum to post this on, but if anyone has any ideas for study materials for the ASCP SBB exam, I would be very appreciative

[Cliff]

For me it was pretty simple.

Memorize AABB Standards - when I took the exam there were fewer editions, today I recommend all of them, read (at least once) and fully understand the AABB Technical Manual, read / memorize all of the relevant FDA CFR's, read (at least quickly) Issett, memorize all major blood group antigens / antibodies and their frequencies in different populations.

That should get you started.

If you don't pass the first time, think of it as a great learning experience. When I took it the pass rate was pretty low - less than 50%.

[David Saikin]

Cliff has pretty much hit the nail on the head . . . it is Blood Bank trivial pursuits (at least when I took it a few decades ago) . . . I had the good fortune of having the practical portion too; I think now they have patient management questions instead of performing actual blood bank serology. I studied Mollison, Pittiglia, the Tech Manual, Garrity & Petz plus made flash cards of blood group systems. Even if you don't pass, you will gain a tremendous amount of blood bank knowledge. Good luck!

[zz243]

I took the exam and passed in December 2006. I recommend purchase on the AABB website...Transfusion Medicine Self Assesment and Review. It presents scenarios which require that you put together lots of information to come up with the best answer. This is how you will be tested on the exam so it gives you good practice.

I highly recommend attendance at the SBB Last Chance Review sponsored by the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston, Texas. They offered it in February of that year; It was an extremely good outline of what you needed to know to pass the exam. Of course, have your own copy of the current Technical Manual and AABB Standards. Daniel's Human Blood Groups is a great book to memorize as well.

Best of Luck.

[Barb Thompson]

In addition to the above, try "Passing the First Time" from Volaris (but watch for the typos). If you go to the AABB annual meeting, there is also a 3.5 hr review session that is very similar to the Last Chance Review, but very concise.

Good luck!

[shelleyk482]

I found "Passing the First Time" to be very helpful (unfortunately I didn't find this book until after I didn't pass the first time). I would suggest looking at all of the resources mentioned by the previous posters and if at all possible attending the Gulf Coast session. With more than 15 years experience, I had to take the test 3X in order to finally pass-- if you are taking the test based on experience like I did, be sure to look real carefully at the "strange & rare" antibodies/antigens that you don't normally see at the hospital level-- they seem to always show up on the exam.

[AMcCord]

The comments about trivial pursuit and looking at the 'strange and rare' are dead on. I recommend all the books mentioned plus The Blood Group Antigen Facts Book/Reid and Lomas-Francis for concise info about the strange and rare category. If you are not familiar with the blood center side of things, try to get some time in at a blood center - donor room, pheresis, QA, processing. If you are not familiar with the transfusion service side of things, get familiar with the practical side of that. I made sure I was pretty familiar with methods for doing almost anything you could think of (and stuff you had no idea anybody ever did!) - reagents, rational, testing protocol, QC, etc. - that paid off big time for me. Dr. Judd's manual (2nd ed. out of print) was very helpful.

Put some time in studying and you can do it!

[LaraT23]

Any ideas about the whole title or where I could get this? I am not finding it online very well.

[AMcCord]

Methods in Immunohematology 2nd edition. Published by Montgomery Scientific Publications 1994. Even though its old, it still has lots of good information. Try Amazon, Powells.com. It's not exactly a New York Times best seller, so there probably aren't many copies circulating. Worth it if you can get it, though.

Another oldie but goodie is Applied Blood Group Serology, Issit and Anstee. Same publisher and also out of print.

[ckcheng]

There are lots of materials and ways you can choose to prepare for the SBB(ASCP) exam depends on how good your blood bank knowledge is, how much time do you have, and what is your budget.

(1) go to an SBB school. it takes you one to two years (online or on site) and I believe this is the best if time and budget is not a problem.

(2) study, understand, and memorize the latest editon of Technical Manual and AABB Standard from the first page to the last page. Of course not all the questions from SBB exam you can find it from the books - like calculations, management, ......

(3) Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston does offer SBB Last Chance Review every year if you do not have time to join an SBB program which last for 1 to 2 years.

(4) Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center also give talk in AABB Meeting called Specialist in Blood Banking Technology/Technologist in Blood Banking (SBB/BB) Exam Review: Where Do I Begin? A good review to tell you where to start the preparation.

Last one thing. Prepare well before you take the exam.

CK Cheng, MSc, SBB(ASCP), CQA(ASQ)

HONG KONG

[melvolny]

Hi Lara,

I studied the Technical Manual - inside and out. I slept with it, ate with it, went shopping with it. It was my best friend. It worked. I passed on the first try.

Good Luck!

Melissa

I also went to the Last Chance Review. (I had forgotten I'd done that!) It was very helpful because it showed me I had been studying the right things.

Edited September 2, 2008 by melvolny

[Eagle Eye]

I agree with previous poster. I took my technical manual everywhere. I went to Hawaii on vacation and I had my manual with me(I hardly read it but atleast when I remember something I had it with me to refer to).

AABB's self assement review book for Transfusion medicine resident is the best one. They have lots of question and cases.

AABB annual meeting SBB review is very good. If you understand each and everything you will pass it the first time.

Oh donot forget teh most current edition of standard.

Study your manual & standarad first. then review and memorize SBB review notes. Then try to answer the questions from self assessment book. Do not try to read the answers. If you get lots of question right from teh self assessment...you are almost ready to take the exam.

The most important thing is to set the date. and start studying...

Good Luck!!

[THintz]

I just passed the SBB in June of this year. I prepared by taking an on-line course (through Florida Blood Services). I can't imagine passing without going through the course. I learned so much and we received so many hints on where to focus our efforts for studying. Also, the 14 exams we took throughout the year were an added bonus for getting prepared. We also had clinical rotations to complete which allowed us to experience everything we don't have a chance to do with our employer. If an on-line course is not for you (it will consume your life for a year!), here's a list of favorite books I used throughout my studies:

1. Modern Blood Banking and Transfusion Practices, 5th edition, Denise Harmening.--(I read the entire book minus a chapter or two).

2. AABB Technical Manual-Everyone said we'd read it cover to cover-they were right! Don't forget the Methods section and the tables at the end of the book!

3. AABB Standards--know them. Particularly limits for blood product QC.

4. Clinical Immunology and Serology, A Laboratory Perspective, Christine Dorresteyn Stevens.--excellent, easy to read resource for basic immunology and complement.

5. Blood Group Antigen Facts Book-Reid, and Lomas-Francis. Use it as a supplemental reference, especially for odd blood group info.

6. A good Hematology text to review coagulation. I used Textbook of Hematology, by McKenzie. Don't forget to refresh on mixing studies -(I had two questions on this), and know the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways inside and out. My exam was "coag heavy".

7. Blood Transfusion Therapy, A Physician's Handbook, (AABB Press). Good info (and easy to read) geared at the clinical side of things. You'll need to think like a physician in order to answer some questions on the test.

8. Transfusion Medicine: Self-Assessment and Review (as mentioned in previous posts). A really great book--I liked that the answer section gives you the reason a response is correct or incorrect.

Lastly, attend the last chance review at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston. The trip is worth every dime you'll spend on it. It's a great two day review and you'll come away with a nice binder of consolidated information to use as your final review before taking the exam.

I know all of this sounds intimidating and the task of passing the test seems very daunting. You have to really love transfusion medicine in order to make this big committment--it will be all you think about for quite a long time. But... YOU CAN DO IT!!! Good luck to you!!

[Mini Me]

Hi THintz

I just wanted to know how was your experience with online study. I was thinking of applting for one but was affraid. The major problem for me would be finding site for clinical rotation. None of the blood center near me would accept me for just clinical rotation.

Would appriciate your reply

Thanks

[THintz]

Mini Me,

I would never say that online study is easy. It takes a lot of discipline and commitment. But, without the option of online study, I would have ended up studying for the exam on my own and possibly finding myself retaking it instead of passing the first time. My goal in becoming an SBB was never to just pass the exam, but in the end to be a better blood banker than I was when I started. I personally felt that by going through an online program I was able to achieve that goal (and pass the test!).

It is a challenge to arrange the necessary clinical sites. My clinical rotation sites were not all local. I did my reference lab and some of the donor center checklists at a blood center in St. Paul, MN, 4 hours from where I live. I was lucky to have family in Minneapolis so I had a free place to stay! If you’ll need to travel to clinical sites, do not forget to plan for these expenses when estimating the cost of your education.

If you are interested in an online program, I would make a list of the ones that appeal to you and call the program directors to inquire about some of the specifics of the program. They all vary slightly and maybe you’ll find one is a better fit for your situation. Lastly, if you do apply, make sure your application is very descriptive of your abilities and desire to be an SBB. Some programs have three or four times the applicants than openings. Your application will need to shine! If you do choose to take an online course it will be really, really tough, but I don’t think you’ll ever regret it.

[ckcheng]

I agree with THintz. You may talk to the on-line program coordinator see if they allow or can help you to arrange clinical rotation in the SBB school site or affiliated blood centers.

In addition to study good with Technical Manual and Standards, you also need to know how to do the calculations, management, some hematology and coagulaiton etc.... Not only you need to memorize all the stuff, but also require you to apply it in problem solving. It will be a very very busy year, but it worth after you pass the SBB(ASCP) exam.

CK Cheng, MSc, SBB(ASCP), CQA(ASQ)

Nov 13, 2008

[KECIA]

Here is some info that might help you. I went to the SBB last chance review. I passed but I also took and on-line program also.

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center

School of Blood Bank Technology

1400 La Concha Lane

Houston, TX 77054-1802

Telephone:

(713) 791-6201

Fax:

(713) 791-6610

Email:

cwong@giveblood.org

Web site:

www.giveblood.org/education/distance.htm

Claire Wong runs this program. Her email address is above.

[Thad Czuba]

See 2008 AABB Annual Meeting, Montreal Handouts, 9230-QE, SBB BB Exam Review. This is and 87 page pdf , file from the meeting session held 10/5/08. An Excellent overview.

[ckcheng]

Just wanna reply especially to AMcCord, the third edition of the Methods in Immunohematolgy written by John Judd is now published by the AABB, please see the link. Hope this help those who are looking for the book.

http://www.aabb.org/eServices/Marketplace/ProductDetail/tabid/55/ProductID/700/Default.aspx

CK Cheng, MSc, SBB(ASCP), CQA(ASQ)

HONG KONG

Dec 3, 2008

[AMcCord]

It's on my shopping list :D:D! This is a terrific reference for methodologies. I had several questions on my SBB exam that I answered correctly thanks to this book.

[la66]

I took a two year specialist in blood banking course at the ARC in Cols, OH, review at Gulf coast and read Technical manual inside and out. After all that I took the test a week after I got back from Tx and I thought I was completely prepared. There was a lot of clinical coag on the test and lots of things right from the Physicians Handbook (which I did not spend enough time on). I took the test in 2001 and had to wait an excruciating week to learn that I had passed!

They say, if you think you did fine you flunked and if you think you flunked you PASSED!

The review in Tx was the biggest help ever!

Lisa B.

[scodina]

There is a 3rd edition of the Judd book available as of 2008. If you are trying to locate it, the actual name is Judd's Methods in Immunohematology. The authors are W. John Judd, Susan Johnson, and Jill Storry. I bought mine on the AABB website.

[cinbb]

I am in the process of gathering materials and studying for the SBB. Does anyone have a copy of the following they might be willing to share via email?

2008 AABB Annual Meeting, Montreal Handouts, 9230-QE, SBB BB Exam Review. This is and 87 page pdf , file from the meeting session held 10/5/08.

I checked online but could not find the doc.

Thanks! xphyle39@aol.com

[filam]

hi Lara,

I would suggest several books.Ready?

Technical manual (study this cover to cover)

AABB stds (study this cover to cover)

Modern Blood Banking by HArmening (good reference when Tech Manual is confusing)

Bld grp Ag fact book by M. Reid (very good reference material for your Ag.Use this when studing the diff bld grps)

Mollison (good reference material when you still can't understand harmening)

[LaraT23]

Thanks filam, but I passed my SBB in August with the help of some of those books. I didn't do the school route, just self taught and studied, hence my initial panic.