Defining the Practice of Medical Technology / Medical Laboratory Profession

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing foundational terms, laws, scope, ethical standards, responsibilities, and related personnel in the practice of Medical Technology.

Science

Primarily concerned with the study of the natural world and the interrelationship among the biological, psychological, and even the social world.

Technology

Application of scientific knowledge for the benefit of society; may refer to an artifact, an activity, or a body of knowledge.

Rogers’ (1983)

“A design for instrumental action that reduces the uncertainty in the cause-effect relationships involved in achieving a desired outcome.”

Medical Technology

Field devoted to improving the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease through laboratory science.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist / Medical Technologist (MT)

Licensed professional who examines and analyzes body fluids, tissues, and cells to aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Republic Act (R.A.) 5527 / The Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969

that governs the practice of Medical Technology in the Philippines.

R.A. 6132

Amendment to R.A. 5527 updating provisions on Medical Technology practice.

Presidential Decree (P.D.) 498

Further amendment to R.A. 5527 modifying regulations for Medical Technologists.

Presidential Decree (P.D.) 1534

Additional amendment to R.A. 5527 refining rules governing the Medical Technology profession.

Scope of MT Practice – Examination of Specimens

Analysis of tissues, secretions, excretions, and body fluids using electronic, chemical, microscopic, bacteriologic, hematologic, serologic, immunologic, nuclear, and other techniques.

Blood Banking

Procedures and techniques involving the collection, testing, processing, and storage of blood for transfusion.

Parasitologic, Mycologic & Microbiologic Procedures

Laboratory techniques for detecting parasites, fungi, and microorganisms causing disease.

Histopathology

Microscopic study of diseased tissues to aid diagnosis.

Cytotechnology

Microscopic evaluation of cells (e.g., Pap smear) to detect early cellular changes and disease.

Clinical Research (MT Scope)

Investigations involving human subjects that apply medical technology knowledge and methods.

Laboratory Quality Control

Systematic monitoring of procedures, reagents, and results to ensure accuracy and precision.

Specimen Collection & Preservation

Obtaining and maintaining patient samples under conditions that ensure test validity.

Medical Technology Code of Ethics

Set of professional standards guiding MTs to act responsibly, legally, fairly, honestly, and confidentially.

Accuracy

Closeness of a test result to the true value.

Precision

Reproducibility or consistency of successive measurements of the same sample.

STAT Test

Laboratory request from the Latin “statim,” meaning results are needed immediately.

ASAP Test

Laboratory request indicating results are required as soon as possible, though less urgent than STAT.

Routine Test

Standard laboratory request processed in normal turnaround time without urgency.

Pathologist

Licensed physician who heads the clinical laboratory, interprets results, and whose signature validates laboratory reports.

Medical Laboratory Technician

Certified individual who assists MTs and pathologists; may qualify via MTLE rating, civil service exam, or work-experience routes.

Phlebotomist

Healthcare worker trained to draw blood for laboratory testing or donation; does not perform complete blood counts.

Histotechnologist / Histotechnician

Personnel who process, embed, cut, and stain tissue specimens for microscopic examination.

Cytotechnologist

Laboratory professional who detects cellular changes significant for early disease diagnosis using stains like Pap and H&E.

Nuclear Medical Technologist

Healthcare professional who works with nuclear physicians to perform imaging and therapeutic procedures using radioactive materials.

Toxicologist

Scientist who studies the effects of toxic substances on living organisms to inform safety and regulatory decisions.