The American Medical Association (AMA) states that blood bank technology specialists are health professionals who perform both specialized and routine tests in research facilities, hospitals, donor centers, and reference laboratories. They also provide transfusion services in collaboration with physicians. Being a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) is a truly exciting career and one that provides many long-standing employment opportunities. You can get the training you'll need to work as a Blood Bank Technology Specialist by taking classes through an accredited online school or university.
If you are interested in being a blood bank technology specialist, read on to find out how.
- Know the job details. Before registering for classes, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Before you make a decision about specializing in blood and working at blood banks, it is wise to look into the educational requirements. This is not a field you can enter into by earning a certificate. Candidates for certification as a SBB must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major in biological or physical sciences. The average salary is around $50,000 a year but this varies according to the specialist’s performance and experience, the place of work, and the demand for specialists in the area in which they are employed. According to the AMA, supervisors average $60,000 a year and managers make around $70,000. Blood Bank Technology Specialists usually work on weekdays but some may be required to work during weekends and even night shifts, depending on where they work and whether or not emergency services need to be available at all times.
- Get the necessary education. To become a blood bank technology specialist, a certain level of education must be attained. Attend a regionally accredited college or university and obtain a bachelor’s degree in a physical science or a biological science. This usually takes four years to complete. Once you’ve obtained a bachelor’s degree in one of the required fields, it will be necessary to become certified in Medical Technology by the Board of Registry. It is possible to apply for certification as a SBB without a Medical Technology certification but only if one has a bachelor’s degree in an approved science field as well as at least two years clinical experience working in a blood bank. If you are just starting your education fresh out of high-school, it’s much wiser to become certified in Medical Technology rather than putting your education on hold for two or more years. However, if you already have a bachelor’s degree and experience, this allowance has been made for you and others like you who are advancing or changing their careers.
- Have an attitude that is good for your career. Develop the attitudes that help you perform effectively in your chosen career. Examples of good attitudes are the following: attention to detail, diligence, patience, a critical mind, ability to multitask and manage time, flexibility, cleanliness and organizational skills. Think about how certain attitudes affect your performance. Develop those that help you with your work, and avoid those that are unhelpful.
- Obtain certification. Get certified from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification. There is more than one program that you may use to obtain certification as a Blood Bank Technology Specialist; however, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) must accredit the program.
- Take the time to complete schooling. Educational programs for certification are typically twelve months long. Some programs, however, offer a master’s degree upon completion and are approximately two years long.
- Advance in your career. This is a field with opportunities for advancement and promotion. Several different career paths are available depending on where you choose to work. Testing blood from donors while working with doctors, and even helping to transfuse patients are two of the many options that are available to you. Management positions are available in facilities as well.
If you’re looking for a rewarding, interesting career in medical technology, becoming a Blood Bank Technology Specialist may be the perfect career for you. If you have the qualities of diligence, tenacity, self-motivation and integrity, don’t waste any time and get started today.