Clinical Immunohematology (Blood Banking) Scientist Program

The UCLA Center for the Health Sciences was established in 1954 as an adjunct to the then newly formed UCLA School of Medicine.  The Hospital has grown to become a large complex of facilities that includes the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and its outpatient clinics, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Mattel Children's Hospital, Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, the Gonda Center among others, a 24-hour, 7-day a week Emergency Room Level I Trauma Service, and a 250-bed community based facility at the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital.

The Westwood Hospital complex is located on the south border of the campus of the University of California Los Angeles and is adjacent to the community of Westwood.  The Santa Monica Hospital complex is located off Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica.

The Clinical Laboratories serve the entire health system complex.  The Clinical Laboratories are abundantly equipped for both automated and manual methodologies.  The Division of Transfusion Medicine is located in the Westwood Hospital complex with two off site Donor Centers.

Training Program

The Limited License Training Programs are under the jurisdiction of the Clinical Laboratories and are part of the Allied Health Training Programs of  UCLA Health.  The content and education emphasis of the Programs are directed by the section Faculty and Education staff.  The training programs are approved by the California Department of Health Services and include practical laboratory experience and didactic lectures given by directors of laboratory sections, consultants, and experienced technologists.

The primary goal of this one year program is to train qualified individuals for eligibility and licensure as Clinical Immunohematology Scientists by the State of California.  Qualified individuals who successfully complete this program will be prepared for written examination in this limited license specialty as administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology [ASCP Website] and eligible for limited licensure as a Clinical Scientist by the State of California under qualification requirements for licensure as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist as provided in California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 17, Section 1031.

The program will include both laboratory and didactic training in high complexity testing including ABO/Rh testing, unexpected antibody detection, compatibility testing, antibody identification and routine problem solving, as well as blood donor selection, blood collection and processing, blood component preparation for storage and administration, and the quality control of blood bank equipment and reagents.  The laboratory experience and didactic lectures are supplemented by attendance at selected conferences, self-study material and homework assignments.

Practical laboratory training involves rotation through the following modules:

The Educational Coordinator will evaluate the student's performance and capabilities.  Both written and practical examinations will be given at regular intervals to test laboratory performance and didactic knowledge.  Failure to maintain an acceptable standard of performance may result in dismissal.

Limited License trainees are employed by the UCLA Health as Clinical Laboratory Technologist Apprentice and are provided with all employee benefits. 

Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, without discrimination for non-merit reasons such as race, color, sex, national origin, politics, sexual orientation, age or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.

Application

The items listed below constitute a complete application: 

1. Complete an application to the program before the application deadline noted on the form. [Application Form][Application Checklist]
2. Documentation of baccalaureate or higher degree in biology, clinical laboratory science, or an equivalent major AND have completed at least 25 semester (or 38 quarter units) in biology including genetics and immunology and 5 semester hours (or 7 quarter units) in chemistry.
3. Minimum overall / science GPA of 2.7.  If studies in immunology were not completed within seven years, the applicant must show proof of preparedness.
4. Letter of intent, including a statement of your reasons for applying and long term career goals.
5. Current resume / CV listing education and previous employment.
6. Three references from science instructors and/or employers.
7. A valid Clinical Immunohematology Scientist Trainee License issued by the California Department of Health Services/Laboratory Field Services prior to the start of the program.  The online application for CLS trainee licenses is available on the CHSLFS website. 
8. Commit to training for 40 hours per week for 52 weeks as outlined in the training schedule.
9. Apply for the position through UCLA Health careers page at https://www.uclahealthcareers.org/.

Note: International applicants will need to provide educational transcript evaluations completed by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and/or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) . For other information regarding licensure in the State of California, please review the California Laboratory Field Services website. The above material should be mailed to the contact person below.

Selected applicants will be invited for a panel interview.

Contact

Joseph Nolasco, CLS 
Sr. Clinical Laboratory Scientist Specialist
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Transfusion Medicine
UCLA Health System
757 Westwood Plaza, Suite B403Q
Los Angeles, CA 90095-7418
Phone: (310) 267-8107 | Email
Fax:     (310) 267-3550