Law Summary
Definitions
- Medical Technology: Laboratory procedures aiding diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion.
- Pathologist: Registered physician trained in laboratory medicine for disease diagnosis and research.
- Medical Technologist: Graduate of a prescribed medical technology course, registered and practicing under supervision.
- Medical Technician: Non-graduate who performs medical technology work under supervision after civil service exam.
- Accredited Training Laboratories and Recognized Schools: Approved by Department of Health and Education.
- Council and Board: Governing bodies established for medical technology education and licensure.
Council of Medical Technology Education
- Composed of government officials, Board members, educators, and professional organization presidents.
- Entitled to per diem and travel expenses under certain conditions.
- Functions include recommending curriculum, approving schools, monitoring standards, and certifying students.
Curriculum Requirements
- Four-year course including a 12-month internship.
- Subjects include English, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Microbiology, Pathology, Chemistry, Hematology, Serology, and more.
- Curriculum can be updated with approval.
Board of Examiners for Medical Technology
- Composed of a chairman (pathologist) and two registered medical technologists appointed by the President.
- Qualifications include citizenship, moral character, expertise, and no conflicts of interest.
- Executive officer is the Civil Service Commissioner.
- Members receive compensation per applicant examined or registered without exam.
Board Functions and Removal
- Administer the Act including examinations, issuing/suspending/revoking certificates, and investigations.
- Can subpoena witnesses and draft rules with Presidential approval.
- Board members can be removed by the President for cause with due process.
Accreditation of Schools and Laboratories
- Schools must be approved by the Department of Education.
- Training laboratories must have qualified personnel, proper equipment, and comprehensive procedural scope.
Practice of Medical Technology
- Practice is unlawful without valid registration except for registered physicians, certain foreign professionals, and specific foreign military medical technologists.
Examination and Qualifications
- Annual written examination conducted in Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
- Applicants must be of good moral character, good health, and have completed a four-year course or equivalent experience.
- Exams cover Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, Blood Banking, Clinical Microscopy, Histopathologic Techniques.
Passing and Retaking Examination
- Passing requires at least 75% general average with no grade below 50% in major subjects.
- No further exams after three failures unless completing a refresher course or postgraduate training.
Registration and Certification
- Successful examinees must take a professional oath before practicing.
- Certificates issued only if 21 years or older, signed by Board members and Secretary.
- Certificate must be displayed at work.
- Initial registrants with practice experience may receive certificates without examination.
Fees
- Examination and registration fee is 50 pesos; 25 pesos for certificate without exam; 10 pesos for replacement.
- Fees used to cover Board expenses and member compensation.
Grounds for Refusal and Administrative Actions
- Registration may be refused for criminal conviction, immoral/ dishonorable conduct, unsound mind, or diseases.
- The Board can reprimand, suspend (up to 2 years), or revoke certificates after due process.
- Revocation requires unanimous Board vote; suspension or reprimand requires majority.
- Surrender of certificate required upon suspension or revocation.
Appeals and Reinstatement
- Appeals from Board decisions go first to the Civil Service Commissioner, then to the President.
- Suspensions lift automatically at expiration; certificates may be reinstated or reissued with cause.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Foreigners may only be admitted if their countries grant reciprocal rights to Filipino Medical Technologists.
Roster of Medical Technologists
- Annual publication of registered Medical Technologists’ information.
- Roster available for public inspection and disseminated to relevant government and private entities.
Penal Provisions
- Penalties include fines (2,000 to 5,000 pesos), imprisonment (6 months to 2 years), or both for:
- Unregistered practice.
- Practice without proper supervision.
- Fraudulent laboratory reports.
- Failure to display registration certificate.
- Use or impersonation of another’s certificate.
- False evidence for registration.
- Use of revoked or suspended certificates.
- False advertising as a Medical Technologist.
- Violation of Act provisions or Board regulations.
General Provisions
- Separability clause ensures that invalid provisions do not affect the remainder of the Act.
- The Act supersedes inconsistent laws but does not repeal relevant provisions of the Medical Act, Clinical Laboratory Act, or Blood Banking Law.
- Effective upon approval.