DEFINING THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY/ CLINICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE PROFESSION
NATURE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
To understand the nature of medical technology, it is important to understand the
connection between science and technology;
Science is primarily concerned with the study of the natural world and the
interrelationship among biological, psychological, and even the social world. Disciplines
in the sciences constantly evolve to adapt to the changing needs of human beings.
Technology is the application of science in a ways that are considered beneficial to
society. It can be defined in three ways: first, physical artefact, machine or instrument;
second, as an activity or means to accomplish a goal; and third, as knowledge (Howell,
1996). Rogers (1983) asserts that “technology is a design for instrumental action that
reduces the uncertainty in the cause-effect relationships involved in achieving a desired
outcome.”
Medical Technology is designed to improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and
monitoring of diseases. It has linkages with many other disciplines for specific
diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. They analyze the chemical contents of fluids, match
blood for transfusions, and test for drug levels in the blood.
Clinical Laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and
treatment of diseases. Scientist who perform most of these laboratory tests, are involved
in the examination and analysis of body fluids, tissues, and cells.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS
R. A. 5527 or the Medical Technology Act of 1969
defines the scope of work of the different medical technology
professionals.
was approved on 1969
Perform Clinical Laboratory Testing
→ He or she should be capable of performing hematologic, microbiologic,
serologic, chemical, and other procedures in the different areas of laboratory science.
Perform Special Procedures
→ Special procedures may include molecular and nuclear diagnostics.
Ensure Accuracy and Precision of Results
→ a medical technologist should always be conscious of the accuracy
and precision of both the testing process and its results.
Be Honest in Practice
→ It is important that a medical technologist values honesty, particularly
in conveying or reporting the results of any laboratory procedure.
Ensure Timely Delivery of Results
→ be alert to fully address the needs of the patient. Since some of the
laboratory procedures are time bound, it is important that the medical
technologist is able to perform the duties required of him or her as soon as
possible.
Demonstrate Professionalism
→ He or she should be aware of the laws and regulations governing the
practice of medical technology and should not exploit the function beyond its
boundaries.
Uphold Confidentiality
→ Confidentiality requires health care providers to keep a patient’s
personal health information private, unless the patient consents to release the
information.
Collaborate with Other Health Care Professionals
→ Collaboration is the act of working together in order to achieve a desired
outcome.
Conduct Research
→ Practicing medical technologists must also be engaged in research
activities to update their skills.
Involvement in Health Promotion Programs
→ A medical technology professional must be actively involved in reaching
out to the community. (list of COP at module)
DEFINING THE PRACTICE OF OTHER LABORATORY PERSONNEL
Pathologist
↪ a 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. They are qualified to diagnose disease, follow its
course, determine the effectivity of treatment, ascertain cause of death, and
advance medicine by means of research.
Medical Laboratory Technicians
↪ a person certified by and registered with the Board of Medical Technology and
qualified to assist a medical technologist and/or qualified pathologist in the
practice of medical technology.
Qualifications to become a Medical Laboratory Technician:
- Failed to pass the medical technology licensure examination given by
the Board of Medical Technology but obtained a general rating of at least
70%. When employed in the government institution shall have the
equivalent civil service eligibility not lower than the second grade.
- Passed the civil service examination for medical laboratory technicians
given on March 21, 1969.
- Finished a two-year college course and has at least one (1) year
experience of working as a medical laboratory technician.
Phlebotomist
↪ an individual trained to draw blood either for laboratory tests or for blood
donations
Cytotechnologist
↪ a laboratory personnel who works with the pathologist to detect changes in
body cells which may be important in the early diagnosis of disease.
Histotechnologist
↪ also referred to as histotechnician, is a laboratory personnel responsible
for the routine preparation, processing, and staining of biopsies and tissue
specimens for microscopic examination by a pathologist (Cardona 2015).
Nuclear Medical Technologist
↪ a health care professional who works alongside nuclear physicians.
Toxicologist
↪ studies the effects of toxic substances on the physiological functions of
human beings, animals, and plants to develop data for use in consumer
protection and industrial safety programs.
Medical Technologist
↪ he or she is engaged in the work of medical technology.
Chief Medical Techonolgy
↪ always considered the head of the clinical laboratory and monitor all
laboratory results.
CODE OF ETHICS
Medical Technology Code of Ethics (by: Dr. Nardito Moraleta)
Upon entering into the practice of medical technology let it be known that:
I accept the responsibilities associated with my duties.
I shall uphold the ideals of my profession.
I am aware that since the physician relies upon my work in the diagnosis and
treatment of diseases, any error may affect the health or even the life of the
patient. Every procedure and observation therefore must be carried out with
absolute reliability, accuracy, fairness, and honesty.
I am aware of the need for mutual understanding and cooperation among my
fellow workers in the medical and paramedical field in the pursuance of a
worthy cause.
I shall strive to preserve the integrity of myself and the professionals from
whom we expect the same.
I shall strive to develop necessary virtues needed in my work and shall place
my service above any other considerations.
I shall restrict my phrases, criticisms, values, and opinions, within constructive
limits and I shall not use the knowledge I know as a tool for my selfish
personal ends.
I realize that the knowledge I acquired about any individual in the course of
my work must be treated as confidential. And since the physician has the
ultimate responsibility in the diagnosis and treatment, my result must be
known only by him. I shall neither make diagnosis nor interpretations other
than this in the report made by me nor shall I advice the physician or others
on how to treat diseases.
I shall believe in full and equal opportunities in the pursuance of our ideals
within the context of the principles of human rights.
To these principles, I hereby subscribe, promising to conduct myself at all
times in a manner appropriate to the dignity of my profession.
