Law Summary
Council of Medical Technology Education: Composition and Function
- Established Council of Medical Technology Education composed of:
- Commissioner of Professional Regulation Commission (Chairman)
- Chairman of Medical Technology Board (Vice-Chairman)
- Two members of the Medical Technology Board
- Director of Private Education or authorized representative
- Director of Bureau of Research and Laboratories, Department of Health
- Representative of private medical technology school deans or heads
Compensation and Expenses for Council Members
- Chairman receives P50.00 per diem per meeting attended.
- Members receive P25.00 per diem.
- Both entitled to travel expenses related to official duties regardless of government salary.
Creation and Composition of Medical Technology Board
- Board created under the Professional Regulation Commission.
- Composed of:
- Chairman (must be a pathologist)
- Two members who are registered medical technologists
- Members appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Commission.
- Term: 3 years or until successors qualify.
- Incumbent members serve until term expiration.
- Successors serve only the unexpired balance of term in case of death, disability, or removal.
Qualifications of Board Examiners
- Must be duly registered medical technologists of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Hygiene, or Public Health.
- Must not have been faculty members of any medical technology school or have financial interests in such institution for at least two years prior to appointment.
Powers and Functions of the Medical Technology Board
- Issue, suspend, and revoke certificates of registration for medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians.
- Determine adequacy of technical staff in clinical laboratories and blood banks before licensing by Department of Health.
- Prescribe qualification and training for medical technologists in special fields and supervise their specialty examinations accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission.
- Classify and prescribe qualifications and training for technical staff as Chief Medical Technologist, Senior Medical Technologist, Medical Technologist, and Medical Laboratory Technician.
Accreditation of Schools and Training Laboratories
- Upon Board recommendation, the Department of Education and Culture approves schools of medical technology.
- The Professional Regulation Commission approves laboratories for accreditation as training sites.
- Laboratories must possess qualified personnel and proper equipment.
- Training must cover bacteriology, serology, parasitology, hematology, biochemistry, blood banking.
- Training scope must be sufficient for required laboratory procedures.
Educational Requirements for Medical Technologists
- Must complete at least four-year Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology or Public Health program from recognized institutions.
- Alternatively, those from other professions who have performed medical technology practice for five years prior to examination date, if such practice began before June 21, 1969.
Scope and Weighting of Board Examinations
- Subjects and their respective weights:
- Clinical Chemistry (20%)
- Microbiology and Parasitology (20%)
- Hematology (20%)
- Blood Banking and Serology (20%)
- Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and body fluids) (10%)
- Histopathologic Techniques, Cytotechnology, Medical Technology Laws, Related Laws, and Code of Ethics (10%)
- Board sets exam schedule and submits it to the Professional Regulation Commission at least 30 days prior.
- Board computes examinee general average according to weights.
- Subject list and weights may be adjusted with Commission approval and timely publication.
Certificates of Registration: Issuance and Conditions
- Certificate issued only to applicants who pass the examination and are at least 21 years old.
- Certificates signed by Board members and Professional Regulation Commission Commissioner.
- Registered medical technologists must display certificates at workplace.
- Certificate without examination may be issued to:
- Graduates of recognized medical technology or public health schools (Philippine or equivalent foreign institutions) with at least 3 years of practice.
- Persons from other professions with 8 years of medical technology practice prior to June 21, 1969.
- Certificates for medical laboratory technicians without examination may be issued based on:
- Passing civil service exam for medical technician (1964);
- Completion of two-year college course and at least one year experience, or substitution of experience for academic requirements;
- At least 10 years experience regardless of academic attainment;
- Failure in medical technology board exam with at least 70% general rating.
- Registered medical laboratory technicians working for the government must have civil service eligibility not lower than second grade.
Prohibitions and Penalties
- Prohibits employing or recommending for appointment any person not registered as medical technologist or medical laboratory technician to engage in the profession.
Repeal and Effectivity
- All laws, executive orders, decrees, or rules inconsistent with this Decree are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
- The Decree takes effect immediately upon promulgation.