Chapter 3 - Laws Governing the Practice of Medical Technology in the Philippines (Part 1)

R.A. 005527 - Sections 1 to 16 (w/ Amendments)

law

The system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the imposition of penalties.

Republic Act 005527

This law defines and regulates the practice of medical technology and protects the interests of medical technology professionals.

June 21, 1969

When was R.A. 005527 approved?

R.A. 6138
- approved August 31, 1970 P.D. 498
- approved June 28, 1974 P.D. 1534
- approved June 11, 1978

What were the three amendments to R.A. 005527, and when were they all put into effectivity?

Sections 16, 21, and 22

What sections of R.A. 005527 are amended under R.A. 6138?

Sections 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19, and 21

What sections of R.A. 005527 are amended under P.D. 498?

Section 3
Section 8 (para. 8)
Section 11 & 13 (repealed subparagraph g & i) of R.A. 005527
Section 12 of P.D. 498

What sections of R.A. 005527 are amended under P.D. 1534?

An Act requiring the registration of Medical Technologists, defining their practice, and for other purposes.

What is the full title of R.A. 005527?

Title

Section 1

Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969

R.A. 005527 may also be cited as the ___________________.

Definition of Terms

Section 2

"Medical Technology"

An auxiliary branch of laboratory medicine which deals with the examinations by various chemical, microscopic, bacteriologic, and other medical laboratory procedures or technique.

'Practice of Medical Technology'

A person shall be deemed to be in the practice of medical technology, who shall for a fee/salary/compensation renders any of the following professional services in the purpose of aiding the physician in the diagnosis, study, and treatment of diseases and in the promotion of health in general:

1. Examination of tissues, secretions, and excretions of the human and body fluids by various laboratory techniques, manual or automated.

2. Blood banking procedures and techniques.

3. Parasitologic, mycologic, and microbiologic procedures and techniques.

4. Histopathologic and Cytotechnology (provided that nothing in this paragraph shall inhibit the medical laboratory technician from performing)

5. Clinical research

6. Preparations and standardization of reagents, standards, stains, etc.

7. Clinical laboratory quality control

8. Collection and preservation of specimens.

What is the revised version of the definition of the term 'medical technology' in P.D. 498?

"Pathologist"

A duly registered physician who is specially trained in methods of laboratory medicine, of the gross and microscopic study and interpretation of tissues, secretions of the human body and its functions in order to diagnose disease, determine effectivity of treatment, ascertain cause of death and advance medicine by means of research.

"Medical technologist"

A person who engages in the work of medical technology under the supervision of a pathologist or licensed physician authorized by the DOH in places where there is no pathologist and who having passed a prescribed course (BSMT/BSH) of training and examination is registered under this act.

"Medical Technician"

A person who not being a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Bachelor of Science in Hygiene, but having passed the corresponding civil service examination, performs the work of medical technology under the supervision of a registered medical technologist and/or qualified pathologist.

Medical Laboratory Technicians

A person certified and registered with the Board as qualified to assist a medical technologist and/or qualified pathologist in the practice of medical technology.

What is the revised version of the term, "Medical Laboratory Technicians" in P.D. 498?

"Accredited Medical Training Laboratory"

A clinical laboratory, office, agency, clinic, hospital sanitarium duly approved by the Department of Health or its authorized agency.

"Recognized School of Medical Technology"

Any school, college, or university which offers a course in Medical Technology approved by the Department of Education in accordance with the requirements under this Act, upon recommendation of the council of medical technology education.

"Council"

The council of medical technology education established under R.A. 005527.

"Board"

The Board of Examiners for Medical Technology established under R.A. 005527.

Council of Medical Technology Education, Its Composition

Section 3

Chairman: Secretary of Education or Director of Private Education

Vice Chair: Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories of DOH

Members of the Council:

• Chairman

• Two members of the Board of Medical Technology

• Dean of the Institute of Hygiene of the University of the Philippines

• A representative of the deans or heads of the private schools of MT

• Presidents of PAMET and PSP

What composes of the Council of Medical Technology Education according to Section 3 of R.A. 005527?

Chairman: Commissioner of PRC

Vice-Chair: Chairman of the Board of Medical Technology

Members of the Council:

• Two members of the Board of Medical Technology

• Director of Private Education (or a duly authorized representative)

• Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories of DOH

• A representative of the deans or heads of the private schools of MT

What composes of the Council of Medical Technology Education according to P.D. 498?

Chairman: Director of Higher Education

Vice-Chair: Chairman of PRC

Members of the Council:

• Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories of DOH

• Chairman

• Two members of the Board of Medical Technology

• A representative of the deans or heads of the private schools of MT

• Presidents of PAMET and PSP

What composes of the Council of Medical Technology Education according to P.D. 1534?

Compensation and Traveling Expenses of Council Members

Section 4

25 pesos

According to Section 4, how much per diem will be the chairman and members be entitled to for every meeting actually attended?

two

According to Section 4, the number of meetings authorized with a per diem shall not exceed ______ in a month.

TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE? According to Section 4, officials receiving regular salaries from the Government shall not receive per diem.

traveling expenses

According to Section 4, what will the chairman and members of the council also be entitled to in connection with their official duties?

For every meeting attended:

• Chairman is entitled to 50 pesos per diem

• Members are entitled to 25 pesos per diem

What are the changes made to Section 4 under P.D. 498?

Functions of the Council of Medical Technology Education

Section 5

RIPort CARRD

1. Recommend minimum required curriculum

2. Inspect different MT schools to determine if high standard of education is maintained.

3. Promulgate, prescribe, and enforce necessary rules and regulations for proper implementation of the foregoing functions.

4. Certify for admission into undergraduate internship students

5. Approve MT schools meeting requirements and recommend closure of those found to be substandard.

6. Recommend and formulate approval of refresher course for applicants who failed the board exam for the third time.

7. Require all MT schools to submit an annual report.

8. Determine and prescribe the no. of students allowed to take up the MT course in each school.

What are the functions of the Council according to Section 5 of R.A. 005527?

Minimum Required Course

Section 6

four; 12; internship

Section 6, R.A. 005527: "The medical technology course shall be at least _______ years, including a _______-month satisfactory _____________ in accredited laboratories, and shall include the following subjects."

FALSE; approval of the Secretary of Education is required.

TRUE OR FALSE? According to Section 6 of R.A. 005527, the Council is hereby authorized to change, remove from or add to the subjects required, even without the approval of the Secretary of Education.

Board of Examiners for Medical Technology

Section 7

By appointment of the president from a list submitted by the Philippine Society of Pathologists (for chairman) and Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (for members).

According to Section 7 of R.A. 005527, how are the first three members of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology chosen?

TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE? Section 7 of R.A. 005527 states that the first members of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology shall be issued a certificate of registration as Medical Technologist without prior examination.

FALSE; not more than one reappointment.

TRUE OR FALSE? Members of the Board of Examiners are allowed more than one reappointment.

President of the Philippines

According to Section 7 of R.A. 005527, who shall fill a vacancy in the Board of Examiners?

three years

How long shall each member of the Board of Examiners serve their positions?

Professional Regulatory Commission

According to P.D. 498, who recommends the appointment of the members of the Board of Examiners to the President of the Philippines?

Qualifications of Examiners

Section 8

1. Filipino Citizen

2. Of good moral character

3. Qualified pathologist or medical technologist of the Philippines with a degree in BSMT or BSH

4. Practice of medicine or medtech for at least 10 years

5. Not a member of the faculty or any medtech schools

What are the qualifications of examiners according to Section 8 of R.A. 005527?

five

In the first three years of R.A. 005527, the fourth qualification under Section 8 only requires _______ years of practice instead of ten.

3. A duly registered MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST of the Philippines with the degree of BSMT or BSH/BSPH

4. Not a faculty member of any MT school for at least two years prior to appointment, or having any pecuniary interest direct or indirect in such institution.

What are the changes to Section 8 of R.A. 005527 under PD 498?

No person shall be appointed as a member of the Medical Technology board unless he or she is a qualified Pathologist or a duly registered Medical Technologist of the Philippines with the degree of BSMT or BSH/BSPH.

What are the changes to Section 8 of R.A. 005527 under PD 1534?

Executive Officer of the Board

Section 9

Commissioner of Civil Service

According to Section 9 of R.A. 005527, who shall be the Executive Officer of the Board and shall conduct the examinations given by it?

Compensation of Members of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology

Section 10

10 pesos; 5 pesos; certificate of examination without registration

Section 10, R.A. 005527: "Each member of the Board shall receive a sum of ___________ for each applicant examined and _________ for each applicant granted a __________________________________.

Functions and Duties of the Board

Section 11

a.) Administer provisions of the Act
b.) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act
c.) Issue, suspend and revoke certificates of registration for the practice of medical technology.
d.) Look into conditions affecting the practice of medical technology in the Philippines and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethics and standards in the practice.
e.) Investigate such violations of this Act, or of the rules and regulations issued under as may come to the jurisdiction of the board...
f.) Draft rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

What are the functions and duties of the board, according to Section 11 of R.A. 005527?

none of the above

The following are the changes made to Section 11 of R.A. 005527 under P.D. 498 EXCEPT...

c.) Issue, suspend and revoke certificates of registration for the practice of medical technology and medical laboratory technician.

g.) To determine the adequacy of the technical staff of all clinical laboratories and blood banks before they could be licensed with the DOH in accordance with R.A. 4655 and 1517.

h.) To prescribe the qualification and training of medical technologists as to special fields of the profession and supervise their specialty examination conducted by the professional organization of medical technologists accredited by the PRC.

i.) To classify and prescribe the qualification and training of the technical staff of clinical laboratories as to Chief Medical Technologist; Senior Medical Technologist; Medical Technologist and Medical Laboratory Technician.

Repeal of subsections G and I

In P.D. 1534, what amendments to P.D. 498 were made?

Removal of Board Members

Section 12

President of the Philippines

According to Section 12 of R.A. 005527, who has the power to remove any member of board members?

• Neglect of duty

• Incompetency

• Malpractice

• Unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct

On what grounds can a board member be removed?

appoint a temporary member in its place

Section 12, R.A. 005527: "Provided, that during the process of investigation, the President shall have the power to suspend such member under investigation and..."

Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology and of Training Laboratories

Section 13

Department of Education

Who shall approve the schools of medical technology?

Department of Health or its authorized agency with the recommendation of the Council of Medical Technology Education

Who shall approve the laboratories for accreditation as training laboratories for Medical Technology students or postgraduate trainees?

Who shall approve the schools of medical technology: Department of Education & Culture upon recommendation of Medtech Board

Who shall approve the laboratories for accreditation as training laboratories for Medical Technology students or postgraduate trainees: PRC upon recommendation of Medtech Board

What were the changes made to Section 13 under PD 498?

Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology

Section 14

1. Registered physician

2. Foreign medtech - for consultation, visiting/exchange professor

3. Medtech working under US armed forces in the Phil.

Who are exempted to practice medical technology without the license?

Examination

Section 15

annually

How often will the medical technology board exams be administered?

Manila, Cebu and Davao

In what areas will the medical technology board exams be administered?

August or September

When will the medical technology board exams be administered?

30

Written notices of such examination shall be published in at least three newspapers of national circulation by the Secretary of the Board at least _______ days prior to the date of examination.

Qualification for Examination

Section 16

• Is in good health and is of good moral character

• Has completed a course of BSMT or BSH by a recognized school, college or university

• and all other persons having graduated from other paramedical professions who are actually performing medical technology for the last 5 years prior to the enactment of this Act (June 21, 1969) provided they meet the minimum requirements mentioned in Sec, 6 exceeding 1 year undergraduate internship or practical training.

Who is qualified to take the board exam?

Commissioner of Civil Service

According to Section 9 of R.A. 005527, who shall be the Executive Officer of the Board and shall conduct the examinations given by it?