Learning Experience Reviewed 2015
Collections Staff Training Program
Credit Recommendation
- Blood Drive Procedures: 4 credits, lower division level
- Donor Registration, Screening, and Physical Exam: 3 credits, lower division level
- Fundamentals of Phlebotomy: 4 credits, lower division level
- Phlebotomy Practicum: 4 credits, lower division level
- Post-Collection Procedures: 4 credits, lower division level
Learning Experience Reviewed 2015
Collections Staff Apheresis Training Program
Credit Recommendation
- Apheresis I: 4 credits, lower division level
- Apheresis II: 4 credits, lower division level
Effective Dates
March 2011 through October 2020
Source of Records
ARCBS staff designated as Collection Technician II have successfully completed the Blood Collections Staff Training Program, with or without the Apheresis portion, and are eligible for the credit. Those who have worked as a Collections Technician II since 2011, even if trained and/or certified prior to 2011, are eligible for the credit with ARCBS confirmation of their competencies.
About the Training Sponsor
The American Red Cross Blood Services serves to fulfill the needs of the American people for the safest, most reliable and cost-effective blood services through voluntary donations.
How to Apply for the Credit
Competencies
Apheresis Techniques I: 4 credits, lower division level
Covers the theory and principles of apheresis collection. Topics include: blood and its function, terms related to apheresis, donor eligibility and the electronic blood donation registry, equipment and supplies used in the apheresis collection process. Upon completion trainees are able to:
- Understand the principles of apheresis
- Understand the eligibility requirements for an apheresis donor
- Perform calculations related to apheresis donation
- Understand the function of the Electronic Blood Donation Registry (eBDR)
- Match the components of blood to their function
- Match the correct definition to terms related to apheresis
Apheresis Techniques II: 4 credits, lower division level
Provides hand-on experience with performing proper function checks associated with apheresis equipment and supplies along with operating equipment used in the apheresis process. Upon completion trainees are able to:
- Recognize factors considered when deciding which plasma components to collect
- Recognize what causes transfusion-related acute lung injury
- Perform proper function checks associated with apheresis equipment and supplies
- Document properly function checks associated with the apheresis equipment and supplies
- Operate properly all equipment used in the apheresis process
- Perform apheresis automated collections using the ALYX apheresis device
Blood Drive Procedures: 4 credits, lower division level
Provides knowledge of pre-collection processes involving blood drive set up, identification of donor suitability, and safe donation practices. Upon completion trainees are able to:
- Identify critical information necessary to electronically link donor to donation.
- Manage the equipment and supplies used in collection procedures.
- Register potential blood donors in the Electronic Blood Donation System.
- Complete health history screening and physical exam to indicate donor suitability.
- Identify actions to take if donor is deferred during physical exam process.
- Recognize critical information and steps required to safely draw a whole blood unit donation.
Donor Registration, Screening, and Physical Exam: 3 credits, lower division level
Provides laboratory experience in the policies and procedures of the registration, screening, and the physical examination of potential donors. Trainees role-play registration processes in the American Red Cross laboratory in preparation for active blood drives. Competency of procedures will be attained through supervised assessment in an active blood drive. Upon completion trainees are able to:
- Acquire documentation from donor- photo ID, authenticate identity as per American Red Cross procedures
- Conduct donor interview, asking listed screening questions as per American Red Cross procedure
- Answer questions of potential donor as they arise
- Perform BP, pulse, temperature and Hgb as per American Red Course procedures
- Explain to donor reasons for deferment (if necessary)
- Successfully register a donor adhering to all American Red Cross policies and procedures
Fundamentals of Phlebotomy: 4 credits, lower division level
Provides the skills and knowledge necessary to perform successful phlebotomy adhering to the standards of the American Red Cross Blood Services that address patient privacy and blood borne pathogens. Upon completion trainees are able to:
- Demonstrate through role play activities, compliance with patient privacy procedures
- Identify differences between arteries and veins
- Identify anatomical structures of the antecubital area
- Identify vein selection criteria, problem veins
- Demonstrate aseptic technique for blood collection
- Demonstrate proper technique for vein preparation, tourniquet and skin marking procedures
- Perform successful VP in the laboratory setting
Phlebotomy Practicum: 4 credits, lower division level
Application of concepts and skills attained in the classroom and practice laboratory in active blood drives. Working under the direct supervision of a senior phlebotomist, upon completion trainees are able to:
- Demonstrate professionalism in meeting the physical and psychological needs of the donor
- Demonstrate adherence to American Red Cross Blood Services policies and procedures for donor screening
- Properly identify donor as per American Red Cross Blood Services protocols
- Perform proper vein selection and preparation according the American Red Cross Blood Services guidelines
- Perform successful venipuncture, attend to donor post venipuncture
- Properly identify blood collected as per guidelines of American Red Cross Blood Services
Post-Collection Procedures: 4 credits, lower division level
Provides the knowledge of post collection processes involving labelling requirements, batch transport, and patient care. Upon completion trainees are able to:
- Recognize and manage donor complications during the post collection period.
- Properly process a collection package.
- Demonstrate knowledge labeling requirements of units and sample tubes.
- Properly hold and pack collection units prior to transport.
- Prepare a batch for transport out of collection site.
- Perform required duties for American Red Cross blood drive breakdown.