MTLB - 32 sections, 5527c

Section 1 – Title

Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969

Section 2 – Definition of terms

1. Medical Technology – Auxiliary branch of laboratory medicine which deals with the examination.

2. Pathologist – A duly registered physician trained in laboratory medicine.

3. Medical Technologist (RMT) – Graduate of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Hygiene, licensed under this Act.

4. Medical Technician – Not a BSMT graduate, but passed the Civil Service Exam, and works under an RMT or Pathologist.

5. Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory – Approved by the Department of Health (DOH).

6. Recognized School of Medical Technology – Approved by the Department of Education (DepEd) upon Council of Medical Technology Education recommendation.

7. Council – Refers to Council of Medical Technology Education.

8. Board – Refers to Board of Examiners for Medical Technology.

Section 3 – Council of Medical Technology Education, It’s composition

• Chairman – Secretary of Education or Director of Private Education

• Vice Chairman – Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories of the Department of Health

Members:

• Chairman of the Board of Medical Technology

• Two Members of the Board

• Dean, Institute of Hygiene, University of the Philippines (UP)

• Representative of Deans/Heads of Private MedTech Schools

• President of PAMET

• President of the Philippine Society of Pathologists (PSP)

Section 4 – Compensation and Traveling Expenses of Council Members

• ₱25/meeting (max 2/month)

• Government officials: No per diem if already receiving salaries

• The Chairman and Members of the council shall be entitled to travel expenses related to official duty

Section 5 – Functions of the Council of Medical Technology Education

(Mnemonic: RIPort CARRD)

• R – Recommend minimum required. curriculum

• I – Inspect medical technology schools in the

  country to ensure the maintenance of high

  standard

• P – Promulgate and prescribe and enforce

  necessary rules and regulations for the proper

  implementation of the foregoing functions.

• C – Certify admission for internship and Collect

  5 pesos

• A – Approve medical technology schools &

  recommend closure of substandard schools

• R – Require all medical technology schools to

  submit an annual report

• R – Recommend approval of refresher course

• D – Determine and prescribe the number of

  students to be allowed to take up the medical

  technology course in each school

Section 6 – Minimum required course

• 4-year BSMT/BSH + 12-month internship

• The council is authorized to change, remove or add subjects listed as the needs and demands

• Secretary of Education may approve curriculum updates

Section 7 – Board of Examiners of Medical Technology

• Chairman – A Pathologist

• Two Members – Licensed Medical Technologists (RMTs)

• Appointed by the President of the Philippines from PAMET and PSP

Note: No member shall be allowed to be reappointed more than one

The President of the Philippines shall fill the vacancy that may occur, but the appointee shall serve only the unexpired term of the incapacitated member.

Section 8 – Qualifications of Examiners

1. Filipino citizen

2. Good moral character

3. RMT or Qualified Pathologist with BSMT/BSH

4. At least 10 years in Laboratory Practice or Medical Technology

5. Not a faculty member or investor in any MedTech school, or have any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in such institution

6. But for the first three years following the approval of this Act, the requirement mentioned in number 4 shall be reduced to 5 years.

Section 9 – Executive Officer of the Board

• Commissioner of Civil Service (now Professional Regulation Commission – PRC)

• The Secretary of the Board Examiners - shall also be the Secretary of the Board. 

• He shall keep a register of all persons to whom certificates of registration have been granted.

Section 10 – Compensation of Members of the Board examiners of the medical technology

• ₱10.00 per applicant examined

• ₱5.00 per each applicant granted a certificate of registration without exam

Section 11 – Functions and duties of the Board

• Administer the Act

• Administer oaths

• Issue/suspend/revoke certificates

• Investigate violations

• Issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum

• Draft necessary rules

Section 12 – Removal of Board members

• Can be removed by the President of the Philippines

• Temporary replacement if suspended

By what ground can a member be removed?

1. Neglect of duty

2. Incompetency

3. Malpractice or unprofessional

4. Unethical

5. Immoral or dishonorable conduct after having been given opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation

Section 13 – Accreditation of schools of Medical Technology and training labsoratories

• Schools: Approved by Department of Education

• Labs: Approved by DOH, based on Council of Medical Technology recommendation

Section 14 – Inhibition against the Practice of Medical Technology

Exemptions from license:

1. Registered physicians

2. Foreigners (consultants, visiting professors)

3. U.S. Armed Forces MedTechs in PH

Section 15 – Examination

• Frequency: Once a year (Annual)

• Locations: Manila, Cebu, Davao

• Month: August/September

• Notices should be published in 3 national newspapers by the Secretary of the Board at least 30 days of the examination.

Section 16 – Qualifications of examination

• Good health and moral character

• Graduate of recognized BSMT/BSH

• Non-MT grads: 5 years practice before June 21, 1969 + internship

(Prior to the enactment of this Act (June 21, 1969) that they meet the maximum requirement mentioned in SEC. 6 exceeding 1 year undergrad internship or practical training)

Section 17 – Scope of Examination

Subject	% Weight
Clinical Chemistry	20%
Microbiology & Parasitology	20%
Hematology	20%
Blood Banking & Serology	20%
Clinical Microscopy	10%
Histopathologic Techniques	10%

= 100%

→ BOARD - Prepare the schedule of subjects

→ Submission to the COMMISSIONER OF CIVIL SERVICE for publication

(4 months before exam)

→ The board should compute the general average according to the relative weight of the subject

→ The board may change, add or remove from the list of subjects or weight above

→ Prior approval to the council

Section 18 – Report of rating

• Board of Examiners reports to Commissioner of Civil Service (now PRC) → 120 days after exam

• Results submitted to President of the Philippines for approval

Section 19 – Rating in the examination

• Passing average: 75%

• No major subject below 50%

• Did not fail 60% of relative weight

→ If you fail, you can repeat up to: 3 years

TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THE 4TH EXAM, YOU SHOULD HAVE:

1. 12 months refresher course in accredited SMT

2. 12 months post-grad training in an accredited laboratory

• IF NON-BSMT/NON-BSH failed for the 3rd time in board exam, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE BOARD EXAM ANYMORE

Section 20 – Oath-taking

• All passers must take a Professional Oath before the board or practicing Medical Technology

Section 21 – Issuance of certificate of registration

• ≥ 21 years old

• Passed the board exam
  OR

• With BSMT/BSH and 3+ years lab experience

• Non-BSMT/BSH but medical field grads with 5+ years lab work

Section 22 – Fees

Service	Fee
Exam & Registration	₱50
Certificate of Registration without Exam	₱25
Replacement of Certificate (Lost, Destroyed, or mutilated)	₱10

Section 23 – Refusal to issue certificate

The Board shall refuse to issue a certificate of registration to any person:

• Immoral or Dishonorable conduct

• Unsound mind, or

• Incurable communicable disease

The board shall give to the applicant a written statement setting forth the reason for its action

Section 24 – Administrative investigation or suspension of certificate

1. Has done anything that as mentioned in SEC. 29

2. Requires hearing by 2 Board Members + Legal Officer

3. Public hearing will be conducted, The MT and witnesses will be cross- examined, and the MT may be represented by a lawyer or themself

4. The board may:

• Reprimand the MT (issue a formal warning) = 2/3

• Suspend the certificate (maximum of 2 years) - should be a majority vote = 2/3

• Revoke the certificate (permanent cancellation) - should have unanimous vote of the 3 members of the board = 3/3

5. After the decision:

• If revoked or suspended, the MT must:

• Surrender their Certificate of Registration

• Within 30 days of final decision

6. Suspension period starts only after the certificate is surrendered

Section 25 – Appeal

• Appeal to Civil Service Commissioner (now PRC)

• The decision will become final 30 Days after the suspension/revocation

• UNLESS, the respondent has appealed to the President of the Philippines within 30 days

Section 26 – Reinstatement, reissue or replacement of certificate

1. The suspension will automatically be lifted on the expiration of the suspension period.

2. After the suspension, the Board may reissue the revoked cert. of reg. upon request of the medtech.

Section 27 – Foreign reciprocity

• Foreign nationals can be licensed if their country allows Filipinos to practice Medical Technology

Section 28 – Roster of medical technologists

• Prepared annually by Secretary of the Board

• Includes name, address, citizenship, date of registration

• Open to public inspection

Copies shall be mailed to each person

• Placed on file in the Office of the President

• All Department Heads and all agencies, offices

• Instrumentalities of the Department of Health

• and to such other offices, private or

  governmental, and to the public) upon request

Section 29 – Penal provisions

Penalties: Not less than ₱2,000–and not greater than ₱5,000 or 6 months–2 years prison for:

• Without being registered or exempted from registration

• Even fully registered, practicing without supervision of a qualified personnel

• Fraudulent reports

• Refusing to display certificate

• Using someone else's certificate

• Impersonate any registrant of a fake or same name

• Shall give any false or fraudulent device of any kind to the

  Board of any member

• Shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration

• Use or advertise any title or description tending to

  convey the impression that he is a Medical Technologist

  without holding a valid certificate of registration

• Violating Board rules or RA 5527 provisions

• Who shall violate the rules and regulations of Board or orders after being approved and issued

Section 30 – Separability clause

If there’s any rule or regulation in this act that is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected by such declaration

Section 31 – Repealing clause

If there’s any inconsistency in this law then that is considered as invalid, but nothing in this act should be interpreted as invalid or amending any portion of the Medical Act of 1959

Section 32 – Effectivity clause

• This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

• Approved: June 21, 1969