November 11, 2014

Dear Students,
Thank you for your interest in Indiana Blood Center. The information you requested
is divided into sections.
LABORATORIES
We have three laboratories at the Blood Center that perform different services for
the community. They are:
Testing Laboratory
Tests all blood collected by IBC, and other clients, to ensure that the
blood supply is safe for use. Their focus is blood screening to ensure
the safety, purity, and effectiveness of blood and blood products.
Screening is largely performed by automated instruments.
Reference Laboratory
Provides services to hospitals that require special red blood cell testing
and matching. Their focus is matching specific blood products to
specific patients. This lab primarily uses manual, non-automated
methods of testing.
HLA/DNA Laboratory
Matches donor organs, tissues, and platelets for recipients. They use
both manual and automated methods of testing focusing on white
blood cell matching.
They also perform relationship testing (matching child DNA with parent
DNA).
TESTS PERFORMED IN THE TESTING LABORATORY
The following tests are performed to ensure the safety, purity, and effectiveness of
our products:
HIV Antibody - detects HIV antibodies for the human
immunodeficiency virus (the virus that causes AIDS)
HIV (NAT) - tests for the gene of the HIV virus
HCV Antibody - detects antibodies if exposed to Hepatitis C
HCV (NAT) - tests for the gene of the Hepatitis C virus
HTLV Antibody - detects antibodies to the human T-cell Lymphotropic
virus (T cell leukemia)
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen - tests for presence of the Hepatitis B
virus
Hepatitis B Core - tests for possible exposure to Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (NAT)
Chagas - detects antibody to T. cruzi (a parasite endemic to Central
and South America)
Syphilis - detects evidence of infection

West Nile Virus (NAT) - Tests for the gene of the West Nile virus
Cytomegalo Virus (CMV) detects antibody to CMV
Antibody Screen detects common medically significant allo and auto
antibodies

TESTING PROCESS
During the process of collecting a unit of blood from a donor, test tube samples are
drawn and sent to the Testing Laboratory (indicated by yellow arrow).

R e c ru itin g s o lic its

d o n o rs a n d s ch ed u le s
b lo o d d riv e s .

B lo o d
C o lle c t io n
sc reen s d o n or
and checks
f o r d e f e r r a ls .

D onor
d o n a te s
u n it .

U n it is s e n t
to
C o m p o n e n ts
Lab.

C o m p o n e n ts
p rep ares
b lo o d
p ro d u c ts .

T e s t in g &
N A T Labs
t e s t s b lo o d
s a m p le s .

D o e s b lo o d
p a s s te s ts ?

YES

T e s t in g
s ig n s o f f
s a m p le s .

N O
B lo o d is
q u a r a n t in e d .

S U P P O R T S E R V IC E S
A c c o u n t in g
A d m in is t r a t io n
C o m p lia n c e / Q u a lit y A s s u r a n c e
D o n o r P a t ie n t S e r v ic e s
H u m an R eso urc es
I n f o r m a t io n T e c h n o lo g y
M a t e r ia ls M a n a g e m e n t
P la n t S e r v ic e s
R is k M a n a g e m e n t
T r a in in g & D e v e lo p m e n t

D is t r ib u t io n f ills
o rd er.

YES

Is o rder fo r
b lo o d p r o d u c t ?

B lo o d is r e t e s t e d . I f
f a ils t e s t a g a in , u n it
is d is c a r d e d .

C lin ic a l S e r v ic e s
n o t if ie s d o n o r .

H o s p it a l
p la c e s o r d e r
fo r p ro d u c t
o r s e r v ic e .

N O
H L A L ab
p e r f o r m s t e s t in g
s e r v ic e s .

R eferen c e L ab
p e r f o r m s t e s t in g
s e r v ic e s .

P ro d u c ts
a r e p la c e d
in
in v e n t o r y .

B lo o d
p r o d u c ts
a r e la b e le d .

TRAINING OF LABORATORY STAFF

We have many positions in the laboratory. Below are the descriptions, training and
degrees required for positions in the Testing Laboratory. There are also positions
available for advancement.
Position
Testing Laboratory
Assistant

Clinical Laboratory
Scientist I

Degree
High School
diploma or
equivalent
Associates
degree preferred
Lab Assistant
experience in a
hospital or blood
center setting
preferred
Basic computer
skills as related
to job
requirements
Medical
Laboratory
Technician (MLT)
associates
degree, ASCP
certified
preferred
Minimum of one
year of clinical
laboratory
experience
required

Training at IBC
Receives, prepares, documents,

*ASCP American
Society of Clinical
Pathologists

Clinical Laboratory
Scientist II

B.S. in Medical
Technology (MT),
ASCP preferred
Bachelors
degree in
Biology,
Chemistry or
Physical Science
Minimum of one
year of clinical

and distributes laboratory

samples
Performs daily quality control
and maintenance functions.
Enters data into a laboratory
computer system and generates
accurate testing records
Coordinates positive sample
send-out tubes for confirmatory
testing

The Testing Clinical Laboratory

Scientist (CLS) I is responsible
for performing low, moderate,
and high complexity testing on
blood samples sent to the
Testing Laboratory.
The Testing CLS I also
troubleshoots laboratory
procedures and instrumentation
as needed.
Analyze donor and patient blood
samples utilizing automated
systems and manual
procedures.
Perform quality control and
maintenance procedures as
required.
Review clerical work for
accuracy and completeness.
Not able to perform testing
without supervision
The Testing Clinical Laboratory
Scientist (CLS) II is responsible
for performing low, moderate,
and high complexity testing on
blood samples sent to the
Testing Laboratory.
The Testing CLS II troubleshoots
laboratory procedures and
instrumentation as needed.
Analyze donor and patient blood
samples utilizing automated

laboratory or
blood center
experience
required

systems and manual

procedures.
Perform quality control and
maintenance procedures as
required.
Review clerical work for
accuracy and completeness.
Able to take On-call for STAT
testing without a supervisor
being on-site.

Continued on next page

Clinical Laboratory
Scientist III

B.S. in Medical
Technology (MT),
ASCP preferred
Bachelors
degree in
Biology,
Chemistry or
Physical Science
Minimum of one
year of clinical
laboratory or
blood center
experience
required
Fully certified on
all technical
teams in the
Testing
Laboratory
Able to
demonstrate
competence and
proficiency in all
areas of low,
moderate and
high complexity
testing

The Testing Clinical Laboratory

Scientist (CLS) III is responsible
for performing low, moderate,
and high complexity testing on
blood samples sent to the
Testing Laboratory.
The Testing CLS III troubleshoots
laboratory procedures and
instrumentation as needed.
Analyze donor and patient blood
samples utilizing automated
systems and manual
procedures.
Perform quality control and
maintenance procedures as
required.
Review clerical work for
accuracy and completeness.
Able to take On-call for STAT
testing without a supervisor
being on-site.

Positions in the Reference and HLA/DNA laboratories require additional experience

in a hospital blood bank, a reference laboratory, or transfusion service. A B.S. in
Medical Technology (MT) ASCP is preferred.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in any of the medical fields, take
academic/advanced level classes in mathematics, English, and science, specifically
biology and chemistry, whenever possible. A solid understanding of mathematics
will assist you greatly in your science class work. Good verbal and written
communication skills are needed/desired by all employers.

TIP: Do not strive for perfection. Rather, strive for excellence and do your
best work at this time knowing that you are still learning.
We hope the information provided is adequate. Best wishes,

Darlene Atkinson, MS
Training Analyst
datkinson@indianablood.org
(317) 916-5098

Elizabeth Zook, BS
Lead Testing Lab Trainer
ezook@indianablood.org
(317) 916-5159