PBMT - Perioperative Blood Management Technologist

The American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT) offers the Perioperative Blood Management Technologist (PBMT) certification exam for allied health professionals working as Autotransfusionist or Platelet Gel/Stem Cell device operators in the surgical setting. PBMTs, also known as autotransfusionists, are specialized allied health professionals who operate the cell saver machine during operations when surgeons anticipate significant blood loss. They collect the blood, cleans it of impurities, and makes it available for reinfusion into the patient. Certification promotes the PBMTs knowledge and expertise in this highly specialized field.

Exam Format

The International Board of Blood Management (IBBM) offers the PBMT certification exam three times each year, which consists of approximately 100 to 115 multiple-choice questions. The PBMT test plan includes the following domains:

• Environmental Factors

  • Team Communication

  • Surgical Vocabulary

  • Sterile Environment

• Equipment and Disposables

  • Equipment Applications

  • Instructions for Use

  • Technical Knowledge

• Patient Care and Procedures

  • Indications and Contraindications

  • Standards and Guidelines

  • Physiology and Pharmacology

• Critical Incidents

  • Response to Incidents

  • Diagnosing and Troubleshooting

  • Medical Knowledge

Completion Time: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the PBMT certification exam

Cost: $200 non-refundable / $50 late fee for submitting application after application deadline / Retake fee $100

Eligibility

Professionals interested in Perioperative Blood Management Technologist certification must meet the following requirements.

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Proof of current employment in the blood management field

• Minimum of one year of experience (recommended)

• Completion of at least 50 subtransfusion procedures involving semiautomatic cell processing/washing devices

• Documented evidence of clinical sites, dates, procedures, surgeons, and indication of adult or pediatric patient

Application Process

1. Submit an online application no later than two weeks before the exam window opens. Applicants must provide:

• Personal information

• Employer information

• Employment facility information

• Confirming individual information

2. Submit the following forms and paperwork with the online application or email to [email protected]if documentation won’t upload:

• Clinical Activity Report 

  • Applicant must provide documentation of completing at least 50 clinical cases using the cell saver technique within the last year

  • Required clinical cases must include the name of the hospital or clinic, date, surgeon, procedure (autotransfusion, platelet gel, or stem cell), surgeon information, and adult/pediatric indication

• Copy of high school diploma, college diploma, or a copy of clinical credentialing, such as CCP, RN, LPN, MD, etc.

• Authorization for Release of Information and Case Verification Form

• Proctor Application

3. Pay the $200 certification exam fee

The Perioperative Blood Management Technologist Certificate is valid for one year. Renewal requires an online application, documentation of at least 50 clinical cases, a case verification form, and $100 renewal fee.

Login to access the recertification application under “My Certifications” and navigate to the “Completed Certifications” tab. Click the blue “Manage” button.

Certified PBMTs must submit their recertification applications no later than February 28 each year or include a $50 late fee with their renewal fee.

Recertification Process

The application includes personal, employer, faculty, and individual information. In addition, provide documentation of continuing education credits.

Submit a complete Clinical Activity Report with 50 clinical cases using the cell saver technique within the last year, including the hospital/clinic, date, surgeon, procedure and type, surgeon, and adult or pediatric designation. Complete the Authorization for Release of Information and Case Verification Form. Upload the Clinical Activity Report and Authorization for Release of Information and Case Verification Form with the online application.

Candidates receive a letter and a new PBMT certificate via postal mail approximately 90 days after receipt and application verification.

Each annual PBMT certification renewal requires applicants to provide documentation of completing 10 Continuing Education hours.

Candidates should utilize study materials and practice exam questions to prepare for the PBMT certification exam. Various professional organizations offer resources for study and many are free but some require registration. Options include:

• AmSECT lists a range of resources available to help study for the exam

• American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) offers free educational offerings and clinical resources

• Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management (SABM) offers several academic contributions by SABM members

• Perfusion.com offers an IBBM presentation for PBMT exam candidates

• Perioperative Management Course offered slides at the AmSECT meeting to study Autotransfusion and Bad Blood

• AmSECT University (required registration)

Additional study materials include:

• AABB. Standards for Perioperative Autologous Blood Collection and Administration. 9th Edition. Bethesda, MD. 2006. ISBN #978-7-56395-242-5

• A. Safuh (Ed.). Hemostasis In Cardiac Surgery. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing. 1999. ISBN 0-87993-410-7

• B.D. Spiess, R.K. Spence, & A. Shander (Eds.). Perioperative Transfusion Medicine. 2nd Edition. Chicago: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2007. ISBN 0-683-07892-5

• Center for Disease Control. Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings: Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. 2002

• Dailey, J.F. Dailey’s Notes on Blood. 4th Edition. Somerville, MA: Medical Consulting Group. 2002. ISBN: 0-9631819-6-3

• K.H. Krieger & O.W. Isom (Eds.). Blood Conservation in Cardiac Surgery. New York: Springer. 1997. ISBN 0-387-94908-9

• M. Ramez (Ed.). Blood Conservation in the Surgical Patient. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.1995. ISBN 0-683-07531-4

• Waters, J., & Gottshall, J (Eds.). Perioperative Blood Management: A Physician’s Handbook. 3rd Edition. Bethesda, MD: AABB. ISBN: 9781563958427

AmSECT offers accreditation as a Patient Blood Management Specialist (PBMS) through a certification exam. The exam is available to anyone interested in patient blood management career advancement with relevant clinical applications and education.

AmSECT and IBBM also offer the Adult Certified ECMO Specialist (CES-A) certification for roles such as RN, RRT, and other health professionals responsible for monitoring adult ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) procedures.