QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 5527)
RA 5527 is also cited as the “Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969.” It requires registration of medical technologists, defines their practice, establishes governing bodies, and prescribes penalties for violations.
It is an auxiliary branch of laboratory medicine involving examinations by various chemical, microscopic, bacteriologic, and other laboratory procedures/techniques that aid physicians in diagnosis, study, and treatment of disease and in promoting health.
(1) Pathologist: a duly registered physician specially trained in laboratory medicine and gross/microscopic study and interpretation of tissues/secretions/excretions to diagnose disease, determine effectivity of treatment, ascertain cause of death, and advance medicine via research. (2) Medical Technologist: a person who engages in medical technology work under supervision of a pathologist or licensed physician authorized by DOH (in places with no pathologist) and who has completed the required course and passed training/examination, then is registered under the Act. (3) Medical Technician: one not a B.S. Medical Technology/Hygiene graduate who passed the corresponding civil service exam and performs medical technology work under supervision of a registered medical technologist and/or qualified pathologist.
It is a governing council composed of: (a) the Secretary of Education or Director of Private Education (Chairman); (b) the Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories, Department of Health (Vice-Chairman); and (c) the Chairman and two members of the Board of Medical Technology, the dean of the Institute of Hygiene (UP), a representative of deans/heads of private medical technology schools, and the presidents of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists and the Philippine Society of Pathologists.
Among others: recommend minimum curriculum; determine allowable student numbers; approve medical technology schools and recommend closure of substandard ones; require annual reports; inspect schools when necessary; certify internship admission and collect internship-related fees; recommend refresher courses for repeat board-failers; and promulgate/enforce rules for implementing its functions.
At least four years, including a 12-month satisfactory internship in accredited laboratories. It includes specified subjects (e.g., English, Biochemistry, Histology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Methods, etc.) and includes topics such as hematology, serology, blood banking, clinical microscopy, parasitology, histopathologic techniques, and cyto-technology.
The Board consists of: a chairman who is a pathologist appointed by the President from a list submitted by the Philippine Society of Pathologists; and two members who are registered medical technologists appointed by the President from a list submitted by the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists. First Board members are appointed with staggered terms (one 3 years, one 2 years, one 1 year). First members of the Board are issued certificates without prior examination per the Act.
A Board member must be: (1) a Filipino citizen; (2) of good moral character; (3) a qualified pathologist or duly registered medical technologist with the required degree; (4) with at least 10 years’ practice in laboratory medicine/medical technology prior to appointment (reduced to 5 years for the first three years after approval); and (5) not a faculty member of any medical technology school and with no pecuniary interest (direct/indirect) in such institution.
The Commissioner of Civil Service is the Executive Officer of the Board and conducts the examinations. The Secretary of the Board appointed under the referenced Act acts as secretary and keeps a register of persons granted certificates.
It is held annually in the greater Manila area, Cebu, and Davao during August or September, on dates/places designated by the Board. Notices must be published in at least three newspapers of national circulation at least 30 days prior to the exam.
Clinical Chemistry (20%); Microbiology and Parasitology (20%); Hematology (20%); Blood Banking and Serology (20%); Clinical Microscopy/Urinalysis and other body fluids (10%); and Histopathologic Technique (10%).
To pass: at least 75% general average, and no rating below 50% in any major subject, and not failing in at least 60% of subjects computed by weights. If not qualified after three examinations, no further examination unless/until the applicant completes a 12-month refresher course in an accredited school or 12-month postgraduate training in an accredited laboratory. Paramedical profession graduates (other than B.S. Medical Technology/Hygiene) are not given further examinations after failure for the third time.
Exempt: (a) duly registered physicians; (b) medical technologists from other countries called in for consultation/visiting/exchange professors, limited to those functions only; and (c) medical technologists in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in the Philippines rendering services for members of that force only.
A medical technologist may not practice without the necessary supervision of a qualified pathologist or an authorized licensed physician (as recognized by DOH authorization for areas without a pathologist). Practicing without such supervision is a penal offense.
Penalties include fine of not less than ₱2,000 nor more than ₱5,000 or imprisonment of not less than 6 months nor more than 2 years, or both. Punished acts include: practicing without registration/exemption; a technologist practicing without necessary supervision; knowingly making fraudulent laboratory reports; refusing/failing after warning to display certificate; using another’s certificate; giving false evidence to obtain a certificate; impersonation; using revoked/suspended certificates; assuming/using/advertising a title implying technologist status without valid certificate; violating any provision of the Act; and corporate bodies violating rules/orders.
Investigations are conducted by at least two Board members with a legal officer; existing rules of evidence apply; respondents may be represented by counsel, be heard in person, receive speedy and public hearing, and confront/cross-examine witnesses; and they have other constitutional rights.
An appeal lies to the Civil Service Commissioner. The decision becomes final 30 days after promulgation unless, within the same period, the respondent appeals to the Office of the President of the Philippines.