How to Become a Blood Bank Technologist
Blood bank technologists collect, analyze and prepare blood for transfusions. This career is rewarding because you know that you are assisting patients who have a great need. Transfusions are typically given to patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with a blood disorder or people who've experienced a major loss of blood due to surgery or trauma. A blood bank technologist has a degree and knows how to protect herself against infectious disease since she is handling body fluids on a regular basis. Good analytical skills and the ability to work independently are traits highly regarded in this profession.
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Instructions
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Investigate the career. Because of the exposure to blood-borne, infectious disease, you must know how to protect yourself and realize the risk if you are exposed. Blood bank technologist also have to be good at science and math. The ability to work well with others along with knowing when to function independently is also important. You will spend many hours standing as you work. Being in good shape helps as does being able to deal well with pressure and deadlines.
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Obtain an undergraduate education. You must have a degree in Medical Technology. This degree is what lab workers hold. It takes four years to receive it. Having an interest in biology, chemistry and mathematics helps as this degree is heavy in the sciences. Some blood bank technologist begin with another undergraduate degree. This applies as long as that degree is heavy in the sciences and relates to medical technology.
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Obtain a license. In all states, once you've received your degree in Medical Technology, you must pass a licensing examination. With this license in hand, you can now apply for jobs in the laboratory. Contact your state licensing board for information about dates, times and location for the exam.
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Get initial training. You may start out as a Medical Technologist in a hospital laboratory, or in a blood bank center. Either way, you need to sharpen your skills and gain work experience at this stage. Learn the trade of Medical Technology as you work in the lab. This experience is crucial and also helps you to advance as most employers want a minimum of five years experience in this area before considering you for a blood bank technologist position.
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Receive further training. Once you have some experience as a Medical Technologist, you can pursue certification as a blood bank technologist. There are several ways to do this. Some hospitals and blood banks offer on the job training with a certificate awarded at the end of the program. This usually means that you work while you learn. Some of these programs offer stipends, some do not. Another way to receive the certification is through an education program. There are universities that offer this certification upon completion of the program. The American Association of Blood Banks has a wealth of information on their website about participating schools and the programs they offer (see Resources).
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