Kentucky Blood Center is looking for a Reference Laboratory Manager for their Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (AABB IRL), see below and this link: http://kybloodcenter.org/about-us/careers/

Successful candidate will be a proactive professional responsible for the oversight and management of the reference laboratory (AABB IRL). Responsibilities will include the development of short- and long-term plans; budget preparation and monitoring; oversight of compliance with staff training, processes, and procedures; workload of reference laboratory including staff supervision, employee evaluation, and other standard management functions. 

Qualified applicants must have a four-year degree, MT(ASCP)SBB, with a minimum of three years management experience preferred. Proof of education/certifications required during the interview process. Must have a working knowledge of industry regulations including FDA, AABB Standards for Immunohematology Reference Laboratories and AABB Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services.

Must be proficient with MS Office products; have proven data analysis skills; be highly organized, reliable, and have outstanding interpersonal skills. Strong written and oral communication skills, a do-what-it-takes work ethic, and a team player attitude are required.
 

Benefits: Health/Dental/Vision/Life/Short Term Disability/Long Term Disability/Cancer Insurance/Accident Insurance/Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts/Paid Time Off/Paid Holidays/Employee Assistance Program/403(b) Retirement Savings Plan/Pension Plan

Nowhere, in the above advertisement, does it say that the candidate must have any detailed knowledge of blood group antigens and antibodies (except the degree required - but this requirement, I presume, does not just apply to IR laboratories).

Sadly, this is true now around the world.

It is all management and saving money, rather than having a detailed knowledge of the background to the science.

Good point Malcolm, and you are correct in that it is implied the candidate must have detailed blood bank knowledge with the Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) degree requirement.  I would find it extremely difficult to pass the SBB exam without this knowledge

7 minutes ago, jmm8427 said:

Good point Malcolm, and you are correct in that it is implied the candidate must have detailed blood bank knowledge with the Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) degree requirement.  I would find it extremely difficult to pass the SBB exam without this knowledge

Agreed jmm8427, but my point really was that, as far as I have seen from other job positions advertised on this site, the SBB exam is required for many of them.  However, I would have thought, from my own experience of having run one of the NHSBT Reference Laboratories for many years, that an greater in-depth knowledge of blood groups and blood group antibodies than that of the average person within the world of transfusion science, is a sine qua non, not least because the whole raison d'etre of a Reference Laboratory is to determine the specificity of an antibody or a mixture of antibodies, and/or to determine antigenic specificity, when the hospital laboratory is, at best, unsure.

I agree that there is a level within an organisation where a thorough knowledge of management, etc is of paramount importance, but I would have thought that, for someone who is going to be in charge of a Reference Laboratory, there is, of course, a need for managerial knowledge, but also for a much deeper than normal knowledge of blood group antigens and antibodies.

I totally agree!  And, from personal experience, finding the people with this deeper knowledge of blood groups is getting harder and harder to find...  Are you looking for a position in KY by any chance?  

I wish!

Sadly no!