Medical Technology Education and Professional Introduction

Introduction to Medical Technology Education

• Medical Technology curriculum is a standardized program of study developed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the assistance of the Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education.

• Medical Technology, also referred to as Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS), is considered an Allied Health Program.

• Allied Health Programs encompass healthcare professions that are distinct from medicine, nursing, and dentistry. These professionals apply scientific principles and evidence-based practices to diagnose, evaluate, treat, and prevent acute and chronic diseases or infections.

• The Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (BSMT) program is structured around general education courses and professional courses.

General Education Courses in the BSMT Program

• General education courses are intended to build a foundational base of knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the success of a student in the profession.

• Rather than focusing narrowly on the specific medical profession, these courses emphasize foundational skills such as communication, reasoning, and analytical thinking, which are then applied to the professional courses.

• Core general education subjects include:

  • Understanding the Self

  • Readings in Philippine History

  • Contemporary World

  • Mathematics in the Modern World

  • Purposive Communication: Used to build communication skills in writing and to increase vocabulary.

  • Life and Works of Rizal: Aims to enhance patriotic values and understanding of the national hero, Jose Rizal.

  • Science, Technology, and Society

  • Art Appreciation

  • Ethics

  • Physical Education (PE)

  • National Service Training Program (NSTP)

Professional Courses and Specialized Subjects

• Professional courses focus directly on the skills and knowledge required for the medical technology profession. Descriptions include:

• Principles of Medical Laboratory Science (PMLS) 1: Serves as the foundation and introduction to medical technology education and the laboratory environment.

• Principles of Medical Laboratory Science (PMLS) 2: Provides an introduction to the different sections of the laboratory and the general tests offered in those sections.

• Community and Public Health for Medical Laboratory Science: Focuses on community engagement, research within the community, and the implementation of diagnostic measurements and tests in a public health context.

• Cytogenetics: An introduction to the study of heredity and inheritance, providing a basis for advanced subjects like blood banking and immunology.

• Human Histology: Focuses on the anatomy and physiology of tissue structures and organs at a microscopic level using a microscope.

• Histopathologic Techniques and Cytology: Covers techniques for processing tissue specimens, such as biopsies from autopsies or living patients. Processing involves embedding tissue samples in paraffin wax and using a microtome to create slides.

• Clinical Bacteriology: The study of bacteria, including their classification by shape and their status as pathogenic (harmful) or opportunistic pathogens.

• Clinical Parasitology: Examines the life cycles, pathogenicity, and treatment of choice for specific parasites and different genera that pose threats to human health.

• Mycology and Virology: The study of fungi, molds, and viruses that can cause disease or pathogenic manifestations.

• Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics: Covers legal frameworks governing the profession, such as the Newborn Screening Act, the HIV Act (protecting HIV-positive individuals from discrimination), and Republic Act (RA) $5527$.

• Molecular Biology and Diagnostics: Covers the study of genes and inheritance patterns using methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

• Laboratory Management: Covers the management of specialized laboratory areas, including biosafety, biosecurity, risk assessment, and waste management.

• Immunohematology and Blood Bank: Focuses on the processes where blood components from healthy individuals are tested against communicable or sexually transmitted diseases and prepared for patient use.

• Hematology 1 and 2: The study of blood-related conditions, including anemia, leukemia, and platelet disorders, involving testing of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and White Blood Cells (WBCs).

• Clinical Chemistry: Involves the measurement of analytes and substances in the blood, such as hormones and enzymes, to diagnose hereditary conditions or enzyme imbalances.

• Clinical Microscopy: The study and analysis of urine and other body fluids for diagnostic purposes.

• Research Courses: Typically offered in the third year, second semester.

  • Research 1: Covers introduction and methodology (Chapters $1$, $2$, and $3$).

  • Research 2: Covers experimentation, analysis, interpretation, and finalization of the thesis (Chapters $4$ and $5$).

• Seminar 1 and 2: Subjects accompanying clinical internship and the medical technology assessment program.

Fourth Year Clinical Internship

• The fourth year is dedicated to clinical internship in a CHED-accredited training laboratory (e.g., a hospital laboratory) to expose students to laboratory protocols and sections.

• Prerequisites include a physical and laboratory examination (pre-employment check) and receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine for protection.

• As per CHED Memorandum Order Number $13$, series of $2017$, the internship duration is $12\,months$.

• A total of $1,664\,hours$ must be rendered during the internship.

• Standard credit equivalents used in the curriculum:

  • $1\,unit$ of lecture = $1\,hour$ per week.

  • $1\,unit$ of laboratory = $3\,hours$ per week.

  • $1\,semester$ = $18\,weeks$.

  • $1\,term$ = $13\,weeks$.

• Makeup policies for absences vary by institution; examples include excused absences being made up at a ratio of $1:3$ or $1:5$.

Medical Technology Licensure Examination (MLPE)

• The examination is facilitated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through the Professional Regulation Board for Medical Technology.

• The Board of Examinees consists of a duly licensed pathologist and registered medical technologists.

• The exam is held biannually in March and August. It is a two-day exam totaling $600\,items$.

• Passing Criteria:

  • General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least $75\%$.

  • No rating below $50\%$ in any major course.

  • Passing at least $60\%$ of the courses computed according to relative weights.

• Subject Weights:

  • Clinical Chemistry: $20\%$

  • Microbiology and Parasitology: $20\%$

  • Hematology: $20\%$

  • Blood Banking, Immunology, and Serology: $20\%$

  • Clinical Microscopy: $10\%$

  • Histopathology with Medical Technology Laws: $10\%$

• Licensure Outcomes:

  • A certificate of registration and ID are issued only to those at least $21\,years$ old.

  • Examinees failing with a score between $70\%$ and $74.9\%$ may be eligible to become Medical Laboratory Technicians.

  • After failing the board exam $3\,times$, a candidate must take a refresher course and obtain certification before retaking the exam.

BSMT Program Outcomes and Assessment

• Expected Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and technical skills to perform laboratory tests correctly and ensure diagnostic reliability.

  • Develop professional attitudes and values to work with colleagues and they healthcare delivery system (doctors, nurses).

  • Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to professional conflicts.

  • Participate in self-directed lifelong learning and updating on professional trends via workshops and seminars.

  • Participate in research and community-oriented activities, potentially pursuing Masteral or Doctorate degrees.

  • Exhibit leadership, collaboration, integrity, and respect in multicultural environments.

• Types of Assessment:

  • Formative Assessment: Monitoring learning through quizzes, post-quizzes, oral recitations, and group presentations to provide immediate feedback.

  • Summative Assessment: Standardized tests used to evaluate learning and skill acquisition against benchmarks, such as midterms and final examinations.

  • Diagnostic Assessment: Used to identify the student's prior knowledge, often through pre-tests.

Career Opportunities for Medical Technologists

• Registered Medical Technologist (RMT) in a clinical laboratory.

• Histotechnologist: Processing tissue samples alongside pathologists.

• Researcher.

• Academe/Education.

• Perfusionist.

• Molecular Scientist.

• Diagnostic Product Specialist.

• Public Health Practitioner.

• Healthcare Leader.