Laboratory Personnel and Regulations Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering clinical laboratory personnel roles, qualifications, duties, legal frameworks, and organizational structure based on the provided review material.

Head of the Laboratory

A competent and experienced professional responsible for the operation of the entire laboratory, personnel, functions, and data under DOH AO No. 2021-0037, required to conduct supervisory calls/video conferencing at least twice a week or make a physical visit at least once a week.

Pathologist

A registered physician certified by the Philippine Board of Pathologist who is trained in laboratory medicine, or the gross and microscopic study and interpretation of tissues, secretions, and excretions of the human body and its functions.

Physician (in areas w/o pathologist)

A licensed physician authorized by the DOH who has undergone a $3\text{-month}$ training program on clinical laboratory medicine, quality control, and laboratory management to head a laboratory in areas lacking a pathologist.

Chief Medical Technologist

An administrative, supervisory, and highly technical position responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of laboratory operations, ensuring testing accuracy, managing staffing, and ensuring compliance with policies.

Section Head

A professional who oversees a specific section or department within the laboratory, manages day-to-day operations of the section, and ensures compliance with performance standards and regulatory requirements.

Medical Technologist

A registered professional who completed a prescribed course (BSMT/BS in Hygiene) and passed the board examination, serving as the front line of laboratory diagnostics by processing specimens and signing test results.

Phlebotomist

An individual trained specifically to collect blood samples, who in other countries may be certified by organizations such as the ASCP Board of Registry, AMT, or NHA without requiring a degree.

Medical Laboratory Technician

An individual certified by and registered with the PRC who assists a medical technologist or qualified pathologist, including MTLE examinees who failed the board but achieved a general rating of at least $70\text{\%}$.

Laboratory Aide

Personnel responsible for maintaining sterile conditions and the environment of laboratory equipment and instruments, assisting in laboratory services, and performing regular stock inventory and requisitions.

Cytotechnologist

A specialized professional known as the 'Cell Processor' who works with pathologists to examine microscopic slides of body cells for abnormalities, such as in the Papanicolaou test (Pap smear).

Histotechnologist

A specialized professional known as the 'Tissue Processor' responsible for the routine preparation, processing, and staining of biopsies and tissue specimens, requiring a $12\text{-month}$ training program in the United States.

Nuclear Medical Technologist

A healthcare professional who applies knowledge of radiation physics and safety regulations to prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals and measure radionuclide quantity and distribution in patients or samples.

Toxicologist

A specialist who studies the effects of toxic substances (poisons) on the physiological functions of human beings, animals, and plants.

Republic Act No. 5527

Also known as the 'Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969', as amended, which regulates the practice and defines the scope of the Medical Technology profession in the Philippines.

PRC Resolution No. 53, Series of 2023

A resolution issued on December $7\text{th}$, $2023$, establishing that registered Medical Laboratory Technicians are constrained from performing histopathologic techniques and that only registered Medical Technologists can perform phlebotomy procedures.

Civil Service Examination

An examination administered twice a year by the Civil Service Commission to assess qualifications for government employment, from which bar and board passers are exempted.

Clinical Laboratory Organizational Structure

The organizational chart detailing lines of supervision from Medical Director and Pathologists down through Chief Medical Technologist, Laboratory Manager, Section Supervisors, and section staff.