R.A. 5527: Medical Technology Act of 1969 PDF

Medical Technology Act of 1969 (Republic Act No. 5527) Presentation by Brylle Kevin Ugay, RMT Learning Outcomes Define the terms related to the practice of Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science profession. Generalize ideas about Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science professi...

Medical Technology Act of 1969 (Republic Act No. 5527) Presentation by Brylle Kevin Ugay, RMT Learning Outcomes Define the terms related to the practice of Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science profession. Generalize ideas about Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science profession Enumerate the requirements for Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science Licensure Examination Analyze situations through critical thinking and derive right conclusions. Recognize the different illegal practices of Medical Technologists. Explain the different provisions of the law Enactment and Purpose Enacted as Republic Act No. 5527, known as the Medical Technology Act of 1969. Signed by former President Ferdinand Marcos. Defines the medical technology profession, including registration, functions, responsibilities, coverage, and limitations. Amendments Republic Act No. 6138 (August 31, 1970) ⚬ Amended Sections 16, 21, and 22. Presidential Decree No. 498 (June 28, 1974) ⚬ Amended Sections 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13, 21, and 29. Presidential Decree No. 1534 (June 11, 1978) ⚬ Amended Sections 3, 8, and 13. Modernization and Further Amendments Senator Edgardo Angara proposed the Medical Technology Act of 2011 to improve salaries and competencies of Filipino medical technologists. Representative Leopoldo N. Bataoil proposed House Bill 3502 on December 4, 2013, during the first regular session of the Sixteenth Congress, for further amendments. SECTION 1: Title This Act may be also cited as the Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969. SECTION 2: Definition of Terms (a) Practice of Medical Technology -Examination of tissues, secretion and excretions of the human body and body fluids -Blood banking procedures and techniques -Parasitologic, mycologic, and microbiologic procedures and techniques -Histopathologic and cytotechnology -Clinical research -Preparations and standardization of reagents, standards, stains, and others -Clinical laboratory quality control -Collection and preservation of specimens SECTION 2: Definition of Terms (b) Pathologist (c) Medical Technologist (d) Medical Technician (e) Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory (f) Recognized School of Medical Technology (g) Council (h) Board SECTION 3: Council of Medical Technology Education, Its Composition Chairman: Director of the CHED Vice-Chairman: Chairman of the PRC Members: Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories of the DOH 2 members of the board of Medical Technology Representative of the deans or heads of Medical Technology/Public Health Presidents of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists. President of the Philippine Society of Pathologists. SECTION 4: Compensation and Traveling Expenses of Council Members Per Diem: Chairman and members receive 50 pesos per meeting attended. Meeting Limit: Per diem is limited to two meetings per month. Government Officials: Those with regular government salaries do not receive per diem. Travel Expenses: Chairman and members are entitled to travel expenses for official duties. SECTION 5: Functions of the Council of Medical Technology Education It outlines the Council of Medical Technology Education's functions: recommending curriculum, setting student quotas, accrediting schools, requiring annual reports, conducting educational inspections, certifying internship readiness, offering exam retake courses, and enforcing regulations to maintain high educational standards and foster professional growth in Philippine medical technology. SECTION 6: Minimum Required Course Minimum of four years for the medical technology course. Mandatory 12-month internship in accredited laboratories. Curriculum includes foundational areas such as language studies, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. -Also covers specialized areas relevant to medical technology practice. Council Authority: Empowered to modify curriculum content with approval from the Secretary of Education to adapt to evolving needs in the field. SECTION 7: Board of Examiners for Medical Technology Composition: Chairman appointed by the President from a list provided by the Philippine Society of Pathologists (pathologist). Two members appointed by the President from a list provided by the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (registered medical technologists). Term: Each member serves a term of three years initially. Staggered terms for initial members: one member for three years, one for two years, and one for one year. SECTION 8: Qualifications of Examiners Must be a Filipino citizen. Must possess good moral character. Must be a qualified pathologist or registered medical technologist in the Philippines with a degree in Medical Technology or Hygiene/Public Health Must have at least ten years of experience in laboratory medicine (pathologist) or medical technology (10 years of experience) Must not be a faculty member of any medical technology school for at least 2 years SECTION 9: Executive Officer of the Board Executive Officer: The Commissioner of Civil Service oversees the Board's operations and conducts examinations. Secretary: The Secretary, appointed under Act Numbered Four Thousand Seven, maintains the registry of all individuals who receive certificates of registration from the Board. SECTION 10: Compensation of Members of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology Each member of the Board shall receive a 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 Administration Oaths Certificates Ethics and Standard Investigations Regulations SECTION 12: Removal of Board Members The President of the Philippines can remove any Board member for neglect of duty, incompetency, malpractice, or unprofessional conduct. Members are entitled to defend themselves in an administrative investigation before removal. During the investigation, the President can suspend the member and appoint a temporary replacement to ensure continuity in Board operations. SECTION 13: Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology and of Training Laboratories. The CHED approves schools of medical technology based on the Act's criteria. The Department of Health, advised by the Council of Medical Technology Education, accredits laboratories for medical technology training. Accredited laboratories must demonstrate qualified personnel and proper equipment for essential laboratory procedures in bacteriology, serology, parasitology, hematology, clinical microscopy, histopathologic techniques and clinical chemistry, ensuring comprehensive training in these areas. SECTION 14: Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology Practice Regulation: Only those with Board-issued certificates can practice medical technology as defined. Exemptions: Exceptions include registered physicians, visiting or exchange medical technologists from other countries, and those serving in the US Armed Forces in the Philippines, restricted to services for their members. SECTION 15: Examination All applicants for medical technologist registration must undergo an annual written examination. Exams are conducted in Manila, Cebu, and Davao during August or September, with specific dates and locations designated by the Board. Notice of the examination dates is published in three national newspapers by the Secretary of the Board at least thirty days in advance SECTION 16: Qualification for Examination Must prove good health and moral character. Should have completed a four-year Bachelor of Science course in Medical Technology or Hygiene from a recognized institution. Individuals from related paramedical professions practicing medical technology for at least five years before the Act's enactment may apply, meeting Section Six criteria excluding the undergraduate internship. SECTION 17: Scope of Examination Clinical Chemistry 20% Microbiology and Parasitology 20% Hematology 20% Blood Banking and Serology 20% Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and other body fluids) 10% Histopathologic Technique 10% SECTION 17: Scope of Examination The Board schedules examination subjects and submits them to the Commissioner of Civil Service for publication at least four months before the exam. Each examinee's general average is computed based on specified subject weights. The Board can modify the list of subjects or their weights based on advancements in medical technology, with approval from the Council. SECTION 18: Report of Rating The Board reports examination results to the Commissioner of Civil Service within 120 days of exam completion. The Commissioner submits the results to the President of the Philippines for approval. SECTION 19: Ratings in the Examination To pass the exam, a candidate must achieve: - At least 75% general average. - No rating below 50% in major subjects. - Not fail in more than 60% of subjects. After failing three exams, a candidate must complete a 12-month refresher course or postgraduate training before re-examination. Paramedical graduates have no further exam attempts after failing three times.  A B C Clinical Chemistry 92 76 75 Microbiology and 87 86 71 Parasitology Hematology 86 49 77 ISBB 75 77 81 Clinical Microscopy 81 85 70 Medical 80 89 71 Technology Laws and Histopathology SECTION 20: Oath Taking Successful examinees must take a professional oath before practicing medical technology in the Philippines. SECTION 21: Issuance of Certificate of Registration Certificates of registration are issued to applicants who pass the required exam and are at least 21 years old. Certificates must be signed by all Board members and Commissioner of the PRC. Registered medical technologists must display their certificate at their workplace. Certificates without examination can be issued to: - Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Hygiene/Public Health or Medical Technology practicing for at least four years. - Graduates from other paramedical professions with civil service eligibility, practicing for the last eight years before the Act. SECTION 22: Fees Examination and registration fee: fifty pesos. Certificate without examination fee: twenty-five pesos. Replacement of lost, destroyed, or mutilated certificate fee: ten pesos. Fees are paid to the Civil Service Commission's disbursing officer. Fees cover all authorized Board expenses and member compensation. SECTION 23: Refusal to Issue Certificate The Board will deny certification to: Individuals convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. Individuals guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct. Individuals of unsound mind. Individuals with incurable communicable diseases. - A written statement explaining the denial will be provided and recorded. SECTION 24: Administrative Investigation-Revocation or Suspension of Certificates Administrative Investigations: Conducted by at least two Board members with one legal officer. Rules of evidence are observed. Respondents have the right to counsel, a public hearing, and cross-examination. Penalties: Board can reprimand, revoke, or suspend certification for misconduct, malpractice, incompetency, or gross negligence. Revocation requires a unanimous vote of all three Board members. Reprimand or suspension (up to two years) can be imposed by majority vote. Compliance: Suspended or revoked individuals must surrender their certificates within 30 days of final decision. Failure to surrender leads to perpetual disqualification from practicing medical technology in the Philippines. SECTION 25: Appeal Revocation or suspension of a certificate can be appealed to the Civil Service Commissioner. The decision becomes final after 30 days unless appealed to the President. SECTION 26: Reinstatement, Reissue or Replacement of Certificates The Board can reissue revoked certificates for valid reasons. Suspended certificates are automatically reinstated after the suspension period. SECTION 27: Foreign Reciprocity Foreigners can only practice if their country allows Filipino Medical Technologists to practice there under the same conditions. SECTION 28: Roster of Medical Technologists An annual roster is prepared by the Secretary of the Board, listing all registered Medical Technologists. The roster includes personal and registration details and is available for public inspection. Copies are distributed to relevant government offices and made available to the public upon request. SECTION 29: Penal Provisions It imposes penalties for various offenses related to Medical Technology practice in the Philippines, including unauthorized practice, fraudulent activities, and violations of registration and supervision requirements. SECTION 30: Separability Clause SECTION 31: Repealing Clause SECTION 32: Effectivity This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Approved: June 21, 1969. THANK YOU!