jcarroll Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Just looking for any help or heads up for taknig the BB Exam. No one I have talked to has known anyone who has taken it recently. Thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Eye Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Are you talking about SBB or BB offered by ASCP? WE have few good threads on this forum with lots info regarding SBB exam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcarroll Posted April 10, 2009 Author Share Posted April 10, 2009 I am talking about the BB exam offered by the ASCP, not the SBB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauried01 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Hi there-I just took the BB Exam in July (I've been a tech for a lot of years, but spent the prior 6 years as a stay-at-home mom, so I didn't qualify to sit for the SBB). I read through the Technical Manual twice. (By read through, I mean I read it cover to cover). I, too, didn't know anyone who had taken it recently, so I had to figure what to do for myself. I figured between the studying I did, and my experience in Blood Banking, I would do okay. Have to tell you, I wasn't too sure how I was doing- the ASCP has a way of wording questions that can be confusing. Passed it the first time, though....HTH-Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcarroll Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 Thanks, that does help, did they focus more on certain areas rather than others. I am have been a tech for 3 years with a degree in biology, not Med Tech, and hoping to pass it the first time. Thanks.Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauried01 Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Justin-It was fairly comprehensive. There were quite a few questions with regard to more uncommon systems, Cost, Rogers, etc. Most of the ones I realized I missed, I was able to find the answers straight out of the Technical Manual. I think if you really study the latest version, you should be good to go. Remember that the questions get progressively harder, the more you answer correctly, so it kinda adjusts as you go along. When are you taking it? (I really didn't spend all that much time preparing- maybe like a month or so) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcarroll Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 Ok, great thanks. I am taking it in the end of June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Saikin Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Read the questions carefully . . . sometimes the wording is obscure and makes you want to jump at an obvious answer which is incorrect. As an example, when dealing with compatible units when a patient has an antibody, make certain they are also not asking about ABO compatiblity too, like if your patient is an A remember, they can get O blood also (and Rh+ can get Rh= and viceversa) . . . tricksy stuff (as Gollum would say) . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANORRIS Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Does anyone know if one may qualify for the BB exam by grandfathering in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clmergen Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 There are 4 different routes that are used to qualify someone for the BB exam. I can't remember off the top of my head what they are. Check the ASCP website, they have a good guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likewine99 Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 I took the BB exam about 8 or 9 years ago and and used the ASCP BOR question book, the BB part. I also read the technical manual and the standards, I was weak on anything related to donors since I had always worked in a hospital BB.David is right, the questions can be tricky and it seemed like on every question I was able to narrow it down to 2 choices. Good luck and on the slight chance that you don't pass the first time take it again right away so things still stay fresh in your mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profbaud Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 If you have not taken a blood bank course in school, I recommend you purchase Denise Harmening's Immunhematology text book called Modern blood bank and transfusion practices from F.A.Davis publishers, in addition to reviewing the AABB technical manual. The technical manual alone is not a good resource if you have never had a blood bank course before since it doesn't go into basic knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckcheng Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I agree with profbaud, Technical Manual is not a good book for beginner. Beside Modern Blood Banking by D Harmening, Immunohematology: Principles and Practice by Eva Quinley is also a very good book for blood bankers.CK Cheng, MSc, SBB(ASCP), CQA(ASQ)Hong KongMay 9, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathL Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I agree. The BB can throw some curveballs. I self studied for a little over a year for it. There is a suggested reading list from ASCP. When I took it, geeze, 5?years ago there was alot of pedigree genetic questions & Rhogam qualification questions.Just a tip on testing...you will get one dry erase board. When you get in, write down all the formulas,etc (that you might forget while under pressure) early so when you need them you have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATTYH Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 I am studing for sbb also and am really confused about types of questions. Any help wold be appreciated. Thanks Patty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckcheng Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 Not quit understand what are you confusing? Are you studying in an SBB school, or preparing it by yourself?CK Cheng, MSc, SBB(ASCP), CQA(ASQ)Aug 1, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lateonenite Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 This is incredible. We have no post-graduate accreditation or exams (although I'd like them) in Australia - it all relies on refresher training by each individual laboratory and the QAP from the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia - and not everyone gets to it, believe me (especially not in a 24/7 lab with a dedicated, multiskilled night staff). Before anybody asks, blood bank is one of the better departments for skill assessment - we have to handle a QAP-like situation. When I say multiskilled, I mean we are required to work in either blood bank, haematology or chemistry with some specimen reception work (depending on the shift). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filam Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 hi jcarroll. I just took the BB exam last yr.Now, actually , 1 wk from now, i will be taking the SBB exam. Abt the BB exam, to be honest w/ you, I wasn't expecting that i would pass that exam. It's a miracle, to be honest w/ u. I studied for it.But some of the questions during my exam were so tough. I am actually nervous for this upcoming exam, considering the experience i just had on taking the BB exam. There's so much stuff to study and where do we stop?My brain would sometimes give up on me bec it could only take /retain much information. I wish i have a photographic memory.anyway though.Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filam Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 i am studying for my SBB exam too. one wk from now, i will be taking it. I am completely nervous , to tell u the truth. I have one chapter in the tech manual which i haven't read/studied yet i.e Disaster mngt. But i did study the Tech manual cover to cover as well as the standards. i also used Marion reid ie Ag fact books and sometimes Mollison. It's a lot of studying to do and yet i dont feel i am ready for it or i would be able to pass the exam. whenver I challenge myself by asnweringSBB questions from the books, often, i would get half of the questions right. That's terrifying and not convincing. I am bad in computation too, so ......I don't if i will pass this exam really =0( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profbaud Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 The SBB exam covers more than the material in the Technical manual and the standards. It includes some Coagulation [disorders, how to distinguish platelet disorders from factor disorders], FDA regulations, Management math problems, regulations for deferring a donor, HLA testing, and lots more. Many moons ago, techs with alot of experience in blood banking could take the exam and pass but the pass rate for them now is less than 50%! If you want to be an SBB, the best thing to do is enroll in an online SBB program like the one at Rush University [i went thru their program and i know teach parttime] and even though I have 30 years experience in Blood Banking, I know I couldn't have passed the exam with out taking this program.Good luck. If you don't pass email me about Rush's program. There are 4 other online programs in US too. The pass rate for taking a program is 95%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckcheng Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Hi filam, I saw you also post a comment under another SBB heading. Seems you are really afraid of not passing in the first time. Remember, no one will gaurantee you 100% pass even if you take an SBB program . Have you joined any regular or review type SBB program? Since you have only 1week's time before your exam, do not give yourself too much pressure cuz it will affect your performance. Jot down as many questions as you can right after your exam, it helps IN CASE, I said in case you fail in the first time. Take it easy!Chun-kwok Cheng, MSc, SBB(ASCP), CQA(ASQ)Oct 10, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filam Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 thank you so much to all who are giving me support. It is profoundly appreciated. I actually attended the traditional SBB program. But i felt it wasn't enough. I did a lot of studying still.I want to be positive in this....you know, that i will pass the exam.But....we'll see. I will keep u guys posted a week from now.The exam , i know, can be tough. But just as the old saying goes...."do your best, and the GUY up there will do the rest".Again, thank you so much to all. The response is so heartwarming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L106 Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 flam -At this point, just do your best. You can't do better than that. The one thing I have suggested to others is to relax the day before and don't study. (My theory is if you haven't learned it by now, you probably aren't going to learn it the day before the exam!)Good luck! (And if you happen to end up in the 40% who were not fortunate enough to pass, you study more and take it again. And, if necessary, you take it again.....)Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filam Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Thank you so so much. Glad i found this site. Indeed, we are all blood bankers by heart and soul. We understand the pressure of this certification and the true meaning of it as well.We know how a blood banker feels and thinks and we know how to symphatize w/ this person....To all blood bankers....Thank you so much. You guys are heaven sent =0). I will try my best to be positive for the remaining days i have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbostock Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Best wishes to you for a great outcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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