PAMET: History, Insignia, Core Values

• Professional organizations exist for medical technologists, with PRC accreditation required for associations like PAMET, which was established to unite and advance the profession.
• Crisanto G. Almario is recognized as the father of PAMET.
• Charlemagne Tamondong was the first PAMET president.
• Luella Vertucio is the current PAMET National President from CMT- Providence.
• PAMET’s first organizational meeting occurred on September 15, 1963.
• Their first National Convention on September 20, 1964, at FEU Hospital Conference Hall.
• PAMET's core values include Integrity, Professionalism, Commitment, Excellence, and Unity.

PAMET Insignia:

• The circle signifies ongoing involvement, integrating practice and education.
• The triangle embodies trilogy of love, respect, integrity
• The microscope and snake represent the science of medical technology.
• Green symbolizes health.
• The insignia indicates 1964 as the year the first PAMET Board was elected.
• PASMETH serves as a national organization for all MedTech and Public Health Schools.
• Dr. Serafin Juliano (FEU), Dr. Gustavo U. Reyes (UST), and Dr. Antonio Gabriel organized PASMETH.
• The first organizational meeting was on June 22, 1970, at UST
• Formal SEC registration occurred on October 6, 1985.
• The first PASMETH President was Dr. Gustavo Reyes.
• Dr. Jose Nuevo is PASMETH's current president.

PASMETH Insignia:

• The circle symbolizes perpetual learning and the pursuit of excellence.
• The microscope represents medical technology and public health.
• The founding year is noted as 1970.
• The diamond represents the Association's four objectives.
• PHISMETS is the national organization for medical technology students, reorganized in 2006 at FEU.
• Dr. Zenaida Cajucon organized it in 2002.
• OLFU-Valenzuela hosted the first Medtech Congress.

PHISMETS Insignia:

• The three circles represent Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao’s continuous involvement.
• Laurel signifies nature and the continuation of life.
• Green letters represent health.
• The five bubbles from the test tube represent the organization's five objectives.
• Fifteen interconnected molecules signify unity among schools.
• The microscope represents the field of Medical Technology.
• RA5527 is known as the Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969.
• The Act requires the registration of medical technologists: defining their practice, etc.
• It is the only republic act concerned with MT.
• Ferdinand E. Marcos signed the Act on June 21, 1969.
• Nardito D. Moraleta, PAMET President at the time.
• Act comprises 32 sections and has been amended several times.
• Key Amendments include RA 6138, PD 498, and PD 1534.

Definition of Terms:

• The Practice of Medical Technology involves examining tissues, secretions, and body fluids
• It covers blood banking, microbiological, parasitological, and cytological procedures.
• It includes clinical research requiring the application of medical technology.
• Preparing reagents and quality control in the lab are part of the practice.
• A Pathologist is a trained physician; who heads a medical laboratory.
• A Medical Technologist engages in medical technology under a pathologist’s supervision and must pass the required training.
• Medical Laboratory Technicians assist technologists and pathologists.
• An Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory is a clinical laboratory approved by DOH for intern training.

Council of Medical Technology Education:

• The CHED Director serves as the Chairman.
• The PRC Chairman serves as the Vice Chairman.
• The Council includes the BHFS Director, MT Board of Examiners, deans of Medtech schools, the PSP President and the PAMET President
• Council members receive per diem for attended meetings.
• The functions of the council include recommending curriculum, student numbers, approving schools, and handling refresher courses.
• A minimum 4-year course with internship is required, in compliance with CHED memos.
• The Medical Technology Board consists of a Chairman (a Pathologist) and members.
• The PRC appoints board members, who hold office for 3 years.

Board Duties:

• The Board administers the Act.
• It issues, suspends and/or revokes COR.
• It investigates the practice and related violations.
• It can issue subpoena.
• The Board drafts rules and regulates.
• The Board determines adequacy of the technical staff of all labs and blood banks.
• It prescribes qualifications for MedTechs in special fields.
• The President can remove members.
• DOH approves training laboratories.

Other Important Points:

• CHED approves Medtech schools through the Technical Committee for Medtech Education.
• Laboratories must have qualified personnel and adequate equipment for Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, etc.
• Physicians can practice Medical Technology without registration.
• Medtechs from other countries called in for consultation can practice without registration.
• The MTLE is a written examination held in various cities in August/September and February/March.
• Notice of the exam is released in 3 newspapers.
• Exam takers must be of good moral report and a degree of Bs in Medical Technology.
• In the exam, clinical chemistry is 20% MJ, clinical microscopy is 10% MI, and hematology is 20% MJ.

Examination and Penalties:

• The board prepares exam subjects, submits to the PRC and is published 3 months prior.
• Board may add or remove from subjects/weight before a PRC, to be announced 3 months prior.
• The report of rating releases in 120 days
• RA 8981 declared the implementation happened in 3 days after the examination
• At least 75% General Average required.
• No rating below 50% of any major subjects
• Examinees who have failed twice are required to attend 12 months refresher course with correct Oaths
• Applicants must be 21 years old to take the Oaths.
• In order to issue Certificates of Registration, a total of 4 members must have signatories, including all Board members and the Commissioner of the PRC
• Displaying certificate of registration in Workplace is required

Important legalities:

• Examination and registrations costs P50 for examinees and registration applications
• A Board shall refuse to issue COR for those with criminal record, or those unethical/of an unsound mind
• Administrative investigations are resolved with Legal advisors and a few board members.
• Responses can be appealed by legal representation.
• Penalties can be appealed due to reprimands, revocation, suspension; with a maximum not to exceed two votes
• CORs are expected to be surrendered 30 days after final decision
• License will have reinstatement and reissuance with sufficient application
• Foreigners can be admitted to exams with CORs A roster of Medical Technologists needs to be prepared with all the details pertaining to its employees, and if pertinent, with other data.

Penalties

• Punishment for violations is both a fine and imprisonment.
• Some violations include practicing Medtech without license, making fraudulent laboratory reports, using other’s COR, and impersonating registrars
• Employees are not allowed working without proper qualifications.
• The Board makes rules, and the employee should know of them.