Blood Bank Technologist

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Work Tasks

• Draw blood from patients and donors
• Process and test blood
• Look for blood diseases, study patients reaction to transfusions, manage programs for storing blood
• Match blood for transfusions
• Work for public and private hospital blood banks, community blood banks, transfusion service providers, independent and commercial labs, the government, veterans hospitals, the military, and the U.S. Public Health Service
• Work with blood, the components of blood, lab equipment, testing equipment, and microscopes

Salary, Size & Growth

• $55,500 average per year ($26.75 per hour)
• A large occupation (164,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in a biological or physical science
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree and certification as a blood bank technologist
• Skills/Courses: College courses include a 12-month program in blood bank technology.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available.