Student Evaluation Policy

Students are continually monitored for both their work and academic performance. The Education Coordinator performs an informal evaluation after approximately three months of matriculation. Formal evaluations are conducted after six and twelve months. All SBB program faculty have input into these formal evaluations for both work and academic performance. Students will be evaluated by the instructors from each of the enhancement rotations and have the opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of each enhancement rotations.

The student’s academic progress is evaluated formally by written examination and rotational evaluations. A grade of 80% or better on a research project and all written and practical exams should be achieved.

During the year, students are allotted time to perform a research project. This project must be written, using the same publication format as Transfusion, and submitted to the SBB faculty for review before graduation. In addition, the students will be required to present their project finding to their colleagues in the Transfusion Medicine Division. The student must achieve a grade of B or better on this project.

For all exams, the student must correct questions answered erroneously by documenting the source of the correct answer and why it is the correct answer. The Education Coordinator determines the need for a make-up exam after reviewing and discussing the exam with the student. The make-up exam may be for one or more subject areas in which the student has obtained a score of 80% or less, or for a subject area in which the student scored above 80% but does not demonstrate functional understanding of the subject area. A final practical exam will be given to evaluate the student's ability to solve complex serological problems. The number of specimens will be determined, and a score of 90% or better must be achieved. One additional specimen similar to those tested will be provided for a student who scores less than 90% on the practical. The score on this repeat testing must again be 90% or higher. The enhancement rotation technical instructor will evaluate the student during each rotation.

Students are required to complete all the objectives of the rotation as well as receive an overall average rating of no less 3. Students may be required to repeat the rotation at the discretion of the SBB Coordinator and the supervising technologist. The Education Coordinator will address any deficiencies detected in the rotational evaluations with the student.

Informal evaluations of the student’s academic progress are monitored throughout the year by the TMD faculty. This is accomplished through observation of the student’s daily work performance to include serological problem solving, management of problem situations, performance on the student project, and participation in tutorials, seminars, and journal clubs.

Students are strongly encouraged to discuss any problems they are having with laboratory work, or academic studies with the Education Coordinator. Other SBB faculty members are also available for discussion as well.

Students who successfully complete the SBB program will receive a Certificate of Completion and are expected to sit for the ASCP BOR SBB certification exam. The SBB Program and working environment of the JHH TMD provide a great deal of structure for the student. A successful year will require the student to be well organized on both their work and study time.