It is critical for people who want to work as a blood bank technology specialist to first understand their responsibilities. She usually works in blood donation centers, laboratories, transfusion centers, and research centers, where she performs both routine and highly specialized tests. She has to test for antigens, antibodies, and compatibility on occasion. Other times, she may be required to investigate abnormalities, such as hemolytic anemia. She frequently lends her support to medical doctors and their patients, especially when the latter is undergoing transfusion therapy or an organ transplant.
Someone who wants to work as a blood bank technology specialist must be able to collect and process blood, as the name implies. She may also be in charge of determining the patient’s blood type and even performing molecular testing. It goes without saying that supervising, managing, or teaching others who want to become blood bank technology specialists is a big part of her job. The American Association of Blood Banks has established standards for blood centers and transfusion services that must be followed in the United States.
People who want to work as a blood bank technology specialist may wonder what educational requirements there are because they have so many responsibilities and so many detailed standards. The educational programs usually last about a year. Master’s degree programs can take up to two years to complete in some cases. Most accredited programs also include clinical training, allowing those interested in becoming a blood bank technology specialist to gain knowledge from a variety of hands-on experiences. Many programs will consider a person’s educational background and experience and admit them on a case-by-case basis if they are from a country other than the United States.
After completing a blood bank technology educational program, a person may want to take an exam and become certified by the Board of Registry in medical technology before becoming a blood bank technology specialist. There is an alternative path for those who want to become a blood bank technology specialist but do not want to take the Board of Registry’s certification exam. They must first have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Second, they must have a major in one of the biological or physical sciences when they graduate. Third, they must have worked in a blood bank previously.
People who want to work as blood bank technology specialists must have a number of important skills in addition to their education and training. They must, for example, be able to think critically, listen actively, troubleshoot, and maintain complex equipment, as well as comprehend what they read. They must also be able to communicate verbally and in writing, use deductive reasoning, and be sensitive to their patients’ needs.