NATURE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

SCIENCE
- concerned with the study of the world and interrelations with
biological, psychological and social world. Principles of Medical
Technology are dependent on scientific development in areas of
chemistry mechanics etc.
TECHNOLOGY
- application of science considered beneficial to the society
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
- Is designed to improve the detection, diagnosis and treatment
and monitoring diseases.
- (Evans, 2003) it has linkages with other disciplines for specific
diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST OR LABORATORY
SCIENTISTS
- Plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment
of diseases
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE DEFINED AS:
- Defined in section 2 of RA 5527 Medical technology Act of
1969 and amended by RA. 6132, PD 498 and PD 1534.
Section 2: PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
Who shall work for a fee directly or indirectly shall work and renders
any of the following services in aiding the physician and the diagnosis,
treatment and in promotion of health in general
—ORY LABORATORY (NDE KO ALAM BOISET HUHU)
 uses microscopes and other sophisticated machines
performing simultaneous testing
 They look for the presence of abnormal cells or bacteria
 analyze results and relay to physicians
PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
 Examination of tissue excretions and secretions through
various electronic, chemical, microscopic, bacteriologic,
hematologic, serologic, nuclear and lab procedures and
techniques manual or automated
 Blood banking procedures
 Parasitologic, mycologic, and microbiologic procedures
 Histopathologic and cytologic
 Clinical research
 Preparation and standardization of reagents, stains and are
exclusively use in the lab
 Clinical laboratory quality control
 Collection and preservation of specimens
Note: Med Tech must become licensed first before they can
perform /practice what is stated above.

WORKS OF A LABORATORY SCIENTIST

 Look for bacteria, parasites and microorganisms inside the
body
 They prepare specimens for examination to count and
abnormal cells
 Performs lab tests involving body fluids tissues and cells
 DEFINING THE PRACTICE OF OTHER LABORATORY
PERSONNEL 3. Phlebotomist
- an individual trained to draw blood either for laboratory tests
LABORATORY WORKERS or for blood donations. When only small quantities of blood are
needed, a phlebotomist can draw blood by simply puncturing
1. Pathologist
the skin but when larger volumes of blood are needed,
- a duly registered physician who is specially trained in
venipuncture or even arterial puncture is done. Arterial
methods of laboratory medicine, or the gross and microscopic
collection can only be performed by a specially trained
study and interpretation of tissues, secretions and excretions
phlebotomist. Nowadays, phlebotomy is a skill confined not
of the human body and its functions in order to diagnose
only to medical technologists but to other health care
disease, follow its course, determine the effectivity of
practitioners as well, provided that they were given certification
treatment, ascertain cause of death, and advance medicine
by a reputed certifying or training body.
by means of research
- In the Philippines, a medical technologist is required to be
- always considered heading a clinical laboratory and
skilled in phlebotomy. Although, in other countries,
monitor all laboratory results. A laboratory result without
phlebotomists need not get a degree (Cardona et al., 2015).
the signature of a pathologist may not be considered valid.
They are trained on the job and go through phlebotomy
programs sponsored by community colleges which take as
2. Medical Technician
little time as two months. After completing the program, they
- a person certified by and registered with the Board of Medical
may take an examination for them to be recognized as a
Technology and qualified to assist a medical technologist
certified phlebotomist by the American Society for Clinical
and/or qualified pathologist in the practice of medical
Pathology (ASP), American Medical Technologist (AMT), and
technology as defined in the aforementioned act (Section 2,
the National Health career Association (NHA).
d.).
- There are certain qualifications other than what is stated 4. Cytotechnologist
above to become a medical technician provided that he or she
satisfies the qualifications such that he or she: - a laboratory personnel who works with the pathologist to
- Failed to pass the medical technology licensure examination detect changes in body cells which may be important in
given by the Board of Medical Technology but obtained a the early diagnosis of diseases. This is primarily done by
general rating of at least 70% and provided finally that a examining microscopic slides of body cells for abnormalities or
registered medical laboratory technician when employed in anomalies in structures, indicating either benign or malignant
the government shall have the equivalent civil service conditions. A cytotechnologist selects and sections minute
eligibility not lower than the second grade; particles of human tissue for microscopic study, using
- Passed the civil service examination for medical technicians microtomes and other equipment and employs stain
given on March 21, 1969; techniques to make cell structure visible or to differentiate
- Finished a two-year college course and has at least one (1) its parts. The Papanicolaou (Pap) test 28 of 180 cost
year experience of working as a medical laboratory commonly employed staining
technician; provided that for every year of experience in
college, two (2) years of work experience may be substituted;
and provided further, that the applicant has at least ten (10)
years of experience as medical laboratory technician as of the
date of approval of this decree.
5. Histotechnologist
- Responsible for routine preparation, processing and
staining, of biopsies and tissue specimens for microscopic
examination by Pathologist
- Accredited by NAACIS
- 1 year to complete and covers courses in chemistry, histology
and immunology, biochemistry and medical ethics
- although there is no formal training for histotechnologists in the
Philippines, being a histotechnologist is perceived to be a
decent paramedical profession abroad. In the United States,
one can complete a histotechnician program accredited by the
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science
(NAACIS).
- This program usually takes a year to complete and covers
courses in chemistry, histology, immunology, biochemistry,
and medical ethics. Aspiring Histotechnologists can also
complete an associate degree program in a reputable health
facility that includes supervised histology training to gain an
associate degree in Applied Science (AAS) major in Histology.
6. Nuclear Medical Technologist
- Is a healthcare professional who works alongside nuclear
physicians.
- Apply knowledge of radiation physics and safety
regulations to limit radiation exposure, prepare and
administer radiopharmaceuticals, and us radiation
detection devises and any other kinds of laboratory
equipment that measures the quantity and distribution of
radionuclides deposited in patient's specimen
- another side of medical technologist
7. Toxicologist
- study the effects of toxic substances on the physiological
function of human beings, animals and plants to develop data
for use of consumer protection and physiological effects of
various substances on lab animals and plants and human
tissue using biological and biochemical techniques

.
 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGY
Perform Clinical Laboratory Testing
A medical technologist must be capable of performing the most basic
to the most advanced laboratory tests. A graduate of Bachelor of
Science in Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science is
expected to show competency in performing routine laboratory tests
including urinalysis and stool examination. He or she should be
capable of performing hematologic, microbiologic, serologic, chemical,
and other procedures in the different areas of laboratory science. In
turn, it is expected that the clinical laboratory will be equipped with the
resources necessary for performing such procedures or any kind of
laboratory testing.
Perform Special Procedures
Medical technologists are also expected to perform special
procedures in diagnosing diseases. These may include the operation
of advanced diagnostic equipment. Special procedures can also
include molecular and nuclear diagnostics.
Ensure Accuracy and Precision of Results
In performing different procedures to diagnose diseases, a medical
technologist should always be conscious of the accuracy and
precision of both the testing process and its results. Accuracy and
precision impacts the interpretation of results by the physician to
provide proper medication in the treatment of diseases.
Be Honest in Practice
A practicing medical technologist, like any other professional, is
expected to be honest. In the practice of his or her work. It is
important that a medical technologist values honesty, particularly in
conveying or reporting the results of any laboratory procedure. He or
she should act according to the Medical Technology profession's
Code of Ethics and his or her pledged oath of practice. A medical
technologist must be honest at all times in the conduct of test
procedures to come up with accurate and precise results.
Ensure Timely Delivery of Results
In collaborating with other health care practitioners, a medical
technologist must be aware of the urgency of delivering results on
time especially in cases that require urgent treatment. There are times
when physicians will request laboratory tests which require immediate
action. One should take notations on "STAT" or even observe the
source of the requests (e.g., from the emergency room [ER] or
operating room [OR]). It is important for a medical technologist to be
alert to fully address the needs of the patient. Since some laboratory
procedures are time bound, it is important that a medical technologist
is able to perform the duties required of him or her, as soon as
possible.
Demonstrate Professionalism
A medical technologist must be able to perform his or her functions
according to the professional Code of Ethics for medical technology
professionals. He or she should be aware of the laws and regulations
governing the practice of medical technology and should not exploit its
function beyond its boundaries. In the Philippines, the practice of
medical technology profession is governed by R.A. 5527 or the
Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969. Other governing
regulations are supplemented by the Clinical Laboratory Act of 1966
(R.A. 4688) and the Blood Banking Acts of 1956 (R.A. 1517) and
1995 (R.A. 7719). National organizations such as the Philippine
Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET) and the
Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public
Health, Inc. (PASMETH) also have their own constitutions and by-
laws in accordance with the governing laws and code of ethics.
Uphold Confidentiality
Ensuring confidentiality of patient's information is one of the core
duties within the medical practice (De Bord et al.). Confidentiality
requires health care providers to keep a patient's personal health:
information private unless the patient consents to release the
information. Patient records are expected to be kept in confidence by
the medical technologist. It is expected that these records containing
very important information are protected and made available only
when necessary. A medical technologist must be aware at all times of
the value of confidentiality and the entirety of the ethical codes of their
profession.
Collaborate with Other Health Care Professionals
A medical technology professional is required to collaborate with other
health care practitioners in order to build a well-functioning team. Most
often, projects fail because people fail to cooperate with others.
Collaboration is the act of working together in order to achieve a
desired outcome. Success in the health care setting is achieved not
because of the availability of highly sophisticated hospital or
laboratory equipment, but because of teamwork.
A highly-trained physician will only be able to efficiently treat his or her
patient if laboratory testing, monitoring, drug prescription and dosage,
and more are properly rendered and administered by other health
care professionals. These protocols cannot be done by the physician
alone. Having one non-collaborative and incompetent member in the
team alone can result in potentially dire repercussions.
Conduct Research
Practicing medical technologists must also be engaged in research
activities to update their skills. Research work, whether experimental
or descriptive can contribute significantly to the discovery of new
knowledge in the field of medical technology and in assessing and
revisiting already known ones. It can greatly help in the further
development of the field and may be used as future reference for
patient care.
Involvement in Health Promotion Programs
Medical technologists should not be confined only to the four corners
of their clinical laboratories. Medical technology is a multi-disciplinary
field which consistently ventures into other areas of health care
including health promotion. A medical technology professional must
be actively involved in reaching out to the community. There are many
ways by which the medical technology profession can help improve
the lives of people. Other health care professionals such as nurses
and physicians are easily seen in community outreach programs
because of the nature of their professions. Medical technologists, as
valuable health care professionals, are also expected to do the same.
The following are some ways that medical technology professionals
can help the community:
1. Cooperate with other health care professionals in health promotion
campaigns such as promoting the ideal attitudes on hygiene,
community sanitation, waste segregation, and disease prevention.
2. Implement pre-planned programs of health promotion campaigns.
3. Offer free laboratory testing such as blood typing, urinalysis,
fecalysis, blood sugar testing, cholesterol testing, and other tests
beneficial to the entire community.
4. Collaborate with other health care professionals once diagnoses
are done.