South-Eastern Organ Procurement Foundation

Histocompatibility Specialists Course


This is an ABHI approved course!

Purpose

The curricilum is designed for senior technologists and new laboratory directors involved in the day to day management and development of the histocompatibility laboratory. Applicants should have a background in immunology, immunogenetics and histocompatibility.

Objective

Program objective is to establish a structured curriculum leading to:

  • Raising the standards of practise in clinical histocompatibility testing.
  • Providing a fundamental educational program leading to ABHI Histocompatibility Specialist Certification (CHS).
  • Promoting excellence in clinical laboratory medicine.

    Syllabus

    Each student will receive a comprehensive course syllabus containing:

  • Lecture summaries.
  • References and bibliography.
  • Procedures with applications.

    Curriculum

    Course presentation will be in didactic and interactive discussion format. The curriculum focus is on histocompatibility testing:

  • Theory and principle.
  • Procedure.
  • Application.
  • Management.

    Application Requirements

    Tecgnologist in Histocompatibilty Testing, with a minimum of 3 years working experience and/or a formal course in immunology or genetics. Or applicant must be a new laboratory director.

  • Resume.
  • Active ASHI membership is recommended.
  • Pre-requisite reading completed.

    Core Curriculum

  • Immunobiology.
  • Basic genetics and genetics of MHC.
  • Immunogloblins.
  • Immunology of the MHC.
  • Immunity.
  • Solid Organ Transplantation.
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation.
  • Platelet Immunology.
  • Complement.
  • Statistics in clinical and laboratory practice.
  • Immunosuppression.
  • Rejection mechanisms.
  • Serologic assays.
  • Crossmatching.
  • Antibody screening and evaluation.
  • Flow cytometry, crossmatching and antibody screening.
  • DNA methodologies and new techniques.
  • ELISA based technology.
  • Soluble antigen assay.
  • Quality assurance.
  • Biohazards and safety.
  • Cellular assays and immune response.
  • Laboratory management.
  • Population genetics.
  • Automation and computerization.
  • Regulatory agencies and transplantation.
  • Reimbursement issues.
  • Standards - ASHI, UNOS, CLIA and CMS.
  • Laboratory inspections.
  • Xenotransplantation.

    SEOPF currently has available both the Tissue Typing Reference Manual and the DNA Typing Technical Manual.

    If you do not believe that you are on the mailing list for the specialist course please email us your address at skinner@seopf.org.

    Registration Form

    Should you have questions, contact SEOPF at (804) 323-9890 or (804) 323-1300 FAX or by email, skinner@seopf.org, or contact the Organizing Committee Chair.


    Organizing Committee

    Chair:

    Jean Heneghan, MS, CHS
    Phone: 504-988-5259
    Email:  jhenegh@tulane.edu

    Faculty Advisors: 

          Mary S. Lefell, Ph.D.

      Andrea A. Zachary, Ph.D.

    The course will have a limited number of registrants. Early registration is highly recommended, details to come.

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