RA 5527

Republic act no. 5527 • Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969. Approved on June 21, 1969. • Amendments: – R.A. 6138 • Sec. 16 – Qualification for examination • Sec. 21 – Issuance of Certification for Registration • Sec. 22 – Fees

– PD 498 • Sec. 2 – Definition of terms (Practice of MedT & LabT)

Republic act no. 5527 • Sec. 3 – council of Medical Technology education, its composition. • Sec. 4 – Compensation and travelling Expenses of Council members • Sec. 7 – Medical technology board • Sec. 8 – Qualification of examiners • Sec. 11 – Functions and duties of the Board • Sec. 13 – Accreditation of schools of MedT and training lab • Sec. 16 – Qualifications of examiners • Sec. 17 – The scope of examination • Sec. 21 – Issuance of Certificate of registration • Sec. 29 – Penal provisions

Republic act no. 5527 – PD 1534 • Sec. 3 – Council of Medical Technology education. Its composition • Sec. 8 – Qualifications of examiners • Sec. 13 – Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology and of Training Lab

Republic act no. 5527 • An act requiring for the registration of Medical Technologist, defining their practices, and for other purposes. – Sec. 1 – Title – This act may also be cited as the “Philippine Medical technology Act of 1969” – Sec. 2 – Definition of Terms – as used in this act, the following terms means: • a. Practice of Medical Technology – a person shall be deemed to be in the practice of medical technology within the meaning of this Act, who shall for a fee, salary or other compensation or reward paid or given directly or indirectly through another, renders any of the following professional services for the purpose of aiding the physician in the diagnosis, study and treatment of diseases and in the promotion of health in general:

Republic act no. 5527 • 1. Examination of tissues, secretions and excretion of the human body and body fluids by various electronic, chemical microscopic, bacteriologic, hematologic, serologic, immunologic, nuclear and other laboratory procedures and 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 a duly registered medical laboratory technician from performing histopathologic techniques and procedures;

Republic act no. 5527 • 5. Clinical research involving patients or human beings requiring the use of and/or application of medical technology and procedures; • 6. Preparations and standardization of reagents, standards, stains and others, provided such reagents, standards, stains and others are exclusively for the use of their laboratory; • 7. Clinical laboratory quality control; • 8. Collection and preservation of specimens; provided that any person who has passed the corresponding Board examination for the practice of a profession already regulated by the existing law, shall not be subject to the provisions of the last four preceding paragraphs of the performance of such acts or services is merely incidental to his profession.

Republic act no. 5527 • b. Pathologist – a duly registered physician who is specially trained in methods of laboratory medicine, or the gross and microscopic study and interpretation of tissues, secretions and excretions of the human body and its functions in order to diagnose disease, follow its course, determine the 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 the pathologist or licensed physician authorized by the DOH in places in places where there is no pathologist and who having passed the prescribed course of training examination is registered under the provision of this act.

Republic act no. 5527 • d. Medical Laboratory Technician – 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 as defined in this act. • e. Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory – a clinical laboratory, office, agency, clinic, hospital or sanitarium duly approved by the DOH or its authorized agency. • f. Recognized School of Medical Technology – any school, college, or university which offers a course in Medical Technology approved by the DOH in accordance with the requirements under this Act, upon recommendation o the council of medical technology education.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 3. Council of Medical Technology Education, Its composition - composed of the ff: • Chairman – Director of CHED • V- Chair – Chairman of PRC • Members: Director of BRL of DOH, Chairman and two (2) members of Board of MedT, Representative of Deans of schools of MedT and Public health, Presidents of Society of Pathologist and PAMET.

– Section 4. Compensation and Traveling expenses of Council Members

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 5 – Functions of the Council: • a. To recommend the minimum required curriculum for the course of medical technology • b. To determine and prescribe the number of students to be allowed to take up the medical technology course in each school, taking into account the student-instructor ratio and the availability of facilities for instruction. • c. To approve medicalT schools meeting the requirements and recommend closure of those found to be substandard. • d. To require all medt schools to submit an annual report, including the total number of students and instructors, list of facilities available for instruction, a list of their recent graduates and new admissions, on or before the month of June.

Republic act no. 5527 • e. To inspect when necessary, the different medt schools in the country in order to determine whether a high standard education is maintained in said institutions • f. To certify for admission in to an undergraduate internship students who have satisfactorily completed 3 years of the medt course or its equivalent and to collect from said student the amount of five pesos each which money accrue to the operating fund of the council. • g. Formulate and recommend approval of refresher course for applicants who shall have failed the Board examination for the third time. • h. To promulgate the prescribe and enforce necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of the foregoing functions.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 6. Minimum Required Courses – the MedT course shall be at least four years, including a 12month satisfactory internship in accredited laboratories and shall include the following subjects: • English Spanish Social Science Gen Zoology • Botany Math Physics Gen Chem • Quali & Quanti Chem, Biochem Anatomy Histology Physiology Parasitology Pathology Microbiology Biostatistics • Clinical Lab Methods: Hematology, Serology, Blood Bank, Clinical Microscopy, applied Microbiology, Parasitology, Histpathology and Cytotechnology

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 7. Medical Technology Board –composed of a Chairman who is a Pathologist, and two (2) members who are registered medical technologists who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the PRC. The Chairman and the members of the Board shall hold the office for three (3) years after appointments or until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified: Provided, That the incumbent members will continue to serve until the expiration of their terms.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 8. Qualification of examiners • 1. is a Filipino citizen • 2. good moral character • 3. is a qualified Pathologist, or a duly registered medical technologist of the Philippines with a degree of BSMT/BSPH • 4. has been in practice of laboratory medicine or medical technology for at least ten (10) years prior to his appointment • 5. is not a member of a faculty of any medical technology school for at least two (2) years prior to appointment.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 9. Executive Officer of the Board. – Section 10. Compensation of Members of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology – each member of the Board shall receive the sum of ten pesos for each applicant examined and five pesos for each applicant granted a certificate of registration without examination. – Section 11. Functions and Duties of the Board – • a. Administer, the provision of this 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 and medical laboratory technician

Republic act no. 5527 • d. Look into conditions affecting the practice of medical technology in the Philippine and, whenever necessary, adopt such a measure may be deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethical and moral standards in the practice of medtech; • e. Investigate such violations of this act or of the rules and regulations issued there under as may come to the knowledge of the Board and, for this purpose issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure appearance of witnesses and production of documents in connection with charges presented to the Board; • f. Draft such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act; Provided, that the same shall be issued only after the approval of the President of the Philippines;

Republic act no. 5527 • 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 qualifications and training of medical technologists as to special fields of the profession and supervise their specialty examination conducted by the professional organization of medical technologist accredited by the PRC. • i. To classify and prescribe the qualification and training of the technical staff of clinical laboratories.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 12. Removal of Board Members – any member of the Board may be removed by the President of the Philippines for neglect of duty, incompetency, malpractice or unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct after having been given opportunity to defend himself in a proper and administrative investigation.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 13. Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology and of Training Laboratories – upon the recommendation of the MedTech Board, the DECS shall approve schools of MedTech in accordance with the provision of this Act. The DOH through the BRL shall approve laboratories for accreditation as training laboratories for MedTech students or post-graduate trainees in conjunction with the Board of MedTech.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 14. Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology – No person shall practice medical technology as defined in this Act without having previously obtained a valid certificate of registration from the Board provided that registration shall not required of the following: • a. duly registered physician • b. MedTech from other countries called in for consultation or as visiting or exchange professors to college or universities: • c. MedTech in the service of the U.S. armed forces stationed in the Philippines rendering services as such for members of the forces only.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 15. Examination –all applicants for registration as medical technologist shall be required to undergo written examination which shall be given by the Board annually in the greater Manila area, Cebu, and Davao during the month of August or September on such days and places as the Board may designate. Written notices of such examination shall be published in at least three newspapers of national circulation by the Secretary of the Board for at least thirty days prior to the date of examination.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 16. Qualification for examination. Every applicant for examination under this Act, shall, prior to the date thereof, furnish the Board satisfactory proof that he or she: • a. is in good health and is of good moral character; • b. has completed a course of at least four (4) years leading to the degree of Bachelor of science in Medical Technology or Public Health conferred by a recognized school, college or university in accordance with this decree or having graduated from some other profession and has been performing medical technology for the last five (5) years prior to the date of the examination, if such performance began prior to June 21, 1969.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 17. Scope of examination – The examination questions shall cover the following subjects with their respective relative weights: Clinical Chemistry……………………….. 20% Microbiology & Parasitology……………. 20% Hematology……………………………..... 20% Blood Banking & Serology………………...20% Clinical Microscopy……………………… 10% (Urinalysis & other Body fluids) Histopathologic Techniques, Cytotechnology, MedTech Laws and Code of Ethics…………………………..... 10%

Republic act no. 5527 • The board shall prepare the schedule of subjects for examination and to submit the same to the Commissioner of the PRC for publication at least thirty (30) days before the date of examination. The board shall compute the general average of each examinee according to the relative weights of each subject. Provided, however, that the Board may change, add to or remove from list of subjects or weights above as progress in the science of MedTech may require, subject to the prior approval of the PRC, and publication of the change or amendment at least three (3) months prior to the date of examination in which the same is to take effect.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 18. Report of Rating – The Board shall, within one hundred and twenty days after the date of completion of the examination, report the result thereof to the Commissioner of Civil Service, who shall submit such result to the President of the Philippines for approval.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 19. Rating in the Examination – In order to pass the examination, a candidate must obtain a general average of at least seventy-five percent in the written test, with no rating below fifty percent in any major subjects

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 20. Oath Taking – all successful examinees shall be required to take a professional oath before the Board or before any person authorized to administer oaths prior to entering upon the practice of medical technology in the Philippines.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 21. Issuance of Certificate of Registration: • a. satisfactorily passed the required examination for medical technologist – a.1. attained the age of twenty one (21) years – a.2 all certificates shall be signed by the members of the Board and by the Commissioner of PRC – a.3. display his certificate of registration in the place where he works

• b. medical technologist without examination – b.1. graduated with BS in Medical Technology/BS in Public Health in duly recognized schools of medtech in the Philippines or in any foreign country.

Republic act no. 5527 • c. certificate of registration as Laboratory technician – - has failed to pass the board examination for medical technology but had obtained a general average of at least 70%.

– Section 22. Fees – • a. examination and registration – P50.00 • b. certificate of registration w/o exam – P25.oo • c. lost, destroyed, mutilated certificate – P5.00

– Section 23. Refusal to issue certificate – • a. convicted by the court of any criminal offense like moral turpitude • b. guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct • c. unsound mind • d. incurable communicable disease

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 24. Administrative investigation – Revocation or Suspension of Certificates• a. conducted by at least 2 members of the Board • b. the respondent shall be entitled to be represented by counsel, or be heard in person, to have a speedy and public hearing, to confront and cross-examine witnesses against him, and to all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution • c. giving proper notice and hearing to the party concerned reprimand an erring medical technologist or revoke or suspend his certificate of registration for causes enumerated in Section 29 or for unprofessional conduct, malpractice, incompetency, or serious ignorance or gross negligence in the practice of medical technology.

Republic act no. 5527 • d. no penalty of revocation shall be imposed unless there is unanimous vote of all the three members of the Board. • e. the medical technologist shall be required to surrender his certificate of registration within thirty days after the decision becomes final

– Section 25. Appeal – the revocation of a certificate made by a Board shall be subject to appeal to the Civil Service Commissioner whose decision shall become final thirty days after its promulgation, unless the respondent within the same period has appealed to the office of the President.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 26. Reinstatement, Reissue or Replacement of Certificate – the Board may, upon application and for reason deemed proper and sufficient, reissue any revoked registration certificate. The suspension of a certificate shall be reissued to the medical technologist concerned upon request without prejudice to further actions by the Board.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 27. Foreign reciprocity - No foreigner shall be admitted to examination, or be given a certificate of registration or be entitled to any rights and privileges under this Act, unless the country or state of which he is a subject or citizen permits Filipino Medical technologist to practice within its territorial limits on the same as the subject or citizens of said country or state.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 28. Roster of Medical Technologist - a roster of Medical Technologist shall be prepared annually by the Secretary of the Board. This roster shall contain the name, address and citizenship of each registered Medical Technologist, date of registration or issuance of certificate, and other data which in the opinion of the Board are pertinent.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 29. Penal Provision - without prejudice to the provision of the Medical Act of 1959 as amended relating to illegal practice of Medicine, the following shall be punished by a fine not less than two thousand pesos nor more than five thousand pesos, or imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than 2 years, or both, in the discretion of the court: • a. any person who shall practice Medical Technology in the Philippines without being registered or exemption from legislation in accordance with the provision of this Act;

Republic act no. 5527 • b. any medical technologist, even if duly registered, who shall practice medical technology in the Philippines without the necessary supervision of a qualified pathologist or physician authorized by the DOH. • c. any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent laboratory report; • d. any duly registered medical technologist who shall refuse or fail, after due warning by the Board to display his certificate of registration in the place where he works; • e. any person presenting or attempting to use as his own, the certificate of registration of another; • f. any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or any member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as Medical technologist.

Republic act no. 5527 • g. any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or the same name; • h. any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration; • i. any person who shall in connection with his name or otherwise, assume, 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; • j. any person or corporate body who shall allow anyone in his employ who is not a registered medical technologist/medical laboratory technician to engage in the practice of medical technology or recommend for appointment anyone to the position of medical technologist/technician knowing that he is not registered as such;

Republic act no. 5527 • k. any person or corporate body who shall violate the rules and regulations of the Board or orders promulgated by it after having been duly approved and issued by the Philippine President upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service for the purpose of carrying out the provision of this Act.

– Section 30. Separability Clause – all acts, executive orders, rules and regulation, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions to any person or circumstances is declared invalid by a court or competent jurisdiction.

Republic act no. 5527 – Section 31. Repealing Clause - all acts, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provision of this Act hereby repealed; Provided, however, that nothing in this Act shall be construed as repealing or amending any portion of the Medical Act of 1959, the Clinical Laboratory Act of 1966, and the Blood Bank Law of 1956. – Section 32. Effectivity – this Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 21, 1969.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM It is an intensive practical and theoretical training in the different sections in the clinical laboratory namely: • Clinical Chemistry, • Hematology, • Immunohematology (Blood Banking), • Immunology, • Serology, • Microbiology, • Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids (Clinical Microscopy), • Parasitology, • Histopathology/Cytology and other emergent technologies. It also emphasizes the development of proper value system.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Objectives: 1.Enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for a member of the health care delivery team who with precision and accuracy performs the clinical laboratory procedures needed to help the physician in the proper diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2.Develop among students a well-rounded personality with a healthy outlook and oriented towards intelligent, ethical and active participation in professional as well as community welfare activities. 3. Develop critical thinking skills that will enable them to participate in research endeavors/activities and respond to challenges of the profession.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 4. Develop humane and competent Medical Technologists/Laboratory Scientists who are globally competitive, and committed to serve the health needs in both local and international communities.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Requirements 1. Only those who completed all the course requirements for the first three and one half years shall be qualified for internship.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2. Applicants shall undergo physical and laboratory examinations which will include complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, fecalysis, drug tests (metamphetamines and canabinoids), HbsAg, anti-HBs and chest X-ray and/or Sputum Microscopy. They are also required to present proof of vaccination against hepatitis B. Any applicant found positive for infectious diseases (like hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc.) shall be temporarily suspended to undergo training unless proof of adequate/complete treatment is submitted.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM General Rules 1. The school, in coordination with the accredited training laboratory shall provide a training program in line with the approved CHED updated rules on Medical Technology Internship Program (MTIP). 2. The school and the training center shall enter into a contract of affiliation.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 3. The school shall assign interns only to accredited training centers. 4. The school shall pay the required affiliation fee to the training center. 5. As part of the CHED Memorandum on Medical Technology internship, colleges and universities shall conduct seminars relevant to Medical Technology education. •

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 6. The interns

shall be required to have a total of forty (40) hours per week of duty to complete a total of 1,080 hours in twenty-seven weeks. The interns must render the following number of hours in each discipline:

6.1. Clinical Chemistry 6.2. Clinical Microscopy & Parasitology 6.3. Microbiology 6.4. Hematology 6.5. Blood Banking 6.6. Histopathologic Technique & Cytology 6.7. Immunology & Serology

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230 hrs. 230 hrs. 150 hrs. 120 hrs. 150 hrs. 100 hrs. 100 hrs.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 7. The contact hours for Phlebotomy (Specimen Collection, Handling and Transport) shall be integrated in all sections mentioned above.

8. The affiliation fee should be distributed as follows: 8.1 hospital - 50% 8.2 laboratory staff involved in the training program - 50%

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Duties/Responsibilities of Clinical Instructor 1. There shall be one (1) clinical instructor for every 25 students/interns 2. The Clinical Instructor/Intern Coordinator/Clinical Coordinator shall have the following duties/ responsibilities: A. acts as a liaison officer between the Higher Education Institution (HEI) and the accredited affiliating hospital-based or free-standing clinical laboratory;

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM B. coordinates with the training officer and/or the chief medical technologist in the proper implementation of the internship training programs of both the HEI and the accredited training clinical laboratory in terms of:

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM C. progressive evaluation of interns’ attendance, behavior and performance on an official visit at least once a month D. preparation and submission of monthly report on matters related to the proper implementation of the internship training program E. . participation in the review, revision and updating of the internship training program.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Duties/Responsibilities of Interns 1. Behave as professional at all times 2 Treat the patients with compassion. 3 Avoid undue familiarity and intimacy 4 Treat results with utmost confidentiality. 5 Work harmoniously with fellow interns and other personnel of the institution 6 Follow the provision in the code of ethics of a medical technologist

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM OFFENSES AND SANCTIONS Section 1. Absences/tardiness incurred during internship shall be given the following sanctions: 1.1. for every excused absence, eight (8) hours make-up 1.2. for every unexcused absence, twenty-four (24) hours make-up 1.3. for every accumulated tardiness of sixty minutes, 8 hours make-up

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 1.4. for accumulated absences exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the total number of internship hours per hospital rotation, repeat internship. 1.5. for unauthorized out-of-post, eight (8) hours make-up

Section 2. Sanctions shall be determined by the training center and the institution on the following: 1.1 cheating in any form (forgery,

GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2.2 alcohol intoxication 2.3 inflicting injuries 2.4 carrying deadly weapon 2.5 use of prohibited drugs 2.6 sexual harassment / immorality 2.7 vandalism 2.8 willful destruction of hospital property 2.9 gambling 3.0 stealing