DEFINING THE PRACTICE
OF MT/MLS
Marilou O. Honculada, RMT, MA
Liceo de Cagayan University
Learning Outcomes
After completion of the lesson, the learners will be able to:
1. Discuss the practice of Medical technology focusing on
the nature of the profession in relation to the detection
and diagnosis of diseases, and
2. Differentiate Medical technologists from other laboratory
personnel such as laboratory technicians, pathologists,
and the like.
Technology
• Application of science
– Physical artefact, machine or instrument
– Activity or means to accomplish a goal
– Knowledge asserts that is design for instrumental action
in achieving desired outcome
R.A. 5527
• a.k.a Medical Technology Act of 1969
• Sec 2 of the R.A as amended by R.A. 6132, P.D.
1534
• defines the MT practice
Practice of MT
1. Examination of tissues, secretions and excretions of the
human body and body fluids by various electronic, chemical,
microscopic, bacteriologic, hematologic, serologic,
immunologic, nuclear, and other laboratory procedures and
techniques either manual or automated;
Practice of MT
2. Blood banking procedures and techniques;
Practice of MT
3. Parasitologic, mycologic and microbiologic
procedures and techniques;
Practice of MT
4. Histopathologic and cytotechnology;
provided that nothing in this paragraph shall
inhibit a duly registered medical laboratory
technician from performing histopathologic
techniques and procedures.
Practice of MT
5. Clinical research involving patients or human beings
requiring the use of and/or application of medical technology
knowledge and procedures;
Practice of MT
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;
Practice of MT
7. Clinical laboratory quality control;
Practice of MT
8. Collection and preservation of specimens
Roles and Responsibilities of MT
• Perform clinical laboratory testing
• Perform special procedures
• Ensure accuracy and precision of results
• Be honest in practice
• Ensure timely delivery of results
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Uphold confidentiality
• Collaborate with other health care
professionals
• Conduct research
• Involvement in health promotion programs
Characteristics of MLS
• Problem solvers
• Focused
• Good communication skills
• Trustworthy
• Efficient and self-reliant
• Dignified and respectable
• Role models
• Self-motivated
Other Laboratory Personnel
• PATHOLOGIST
– Duly registered physician who is specially trained in methods of
laboratory medicine, or the gross and microscopic study and
interpretation of tissues, secretion and excretions of the human
body and its functions in order to diagnose disease, follow its
course, determine the effectivity of treatment, ascertain the cause
of death and advance medicine by means of research (R.A. 5527)
– Clinical pathologist (CP), Anatomic pathologist (AP), and
combined APCP.
• MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
– A person certified and registered with the Board of Medical
Technology as qualified to assist a Medical technologist and/or
qualified Pathologist in the practice of Medical technology.
– Focus in performing pre-analytical and post-analytical procedures
(collection, processing specimens, recording, releasing of test
results)
• PHLEBOTOMIST
– trained to collect blood sample
• PHLEBOTOMIST
– blood samples are brought to the clinical laboratory for processing
and analysis
– collects QUALITY samples from the patient to produce QUALITY
laboratory results
– acts as “eyes and ears” of physicians, nurses, & other lab
professionals
• CYTOTECHNOLOGIST
– works with the pathologist to detect changes in the body cells
which is important in the early diagnosis of diseases.
– selects and sections minute particles of human tissue for
microscopic study.
– performs PAP (Papanicolaou) smear examination for cervical CA
• HISTOTECHNOLOGIST
– a.k.a. histotechnician, responsible for the routine preparation,
processing, and staining of biopsies and tissue specimens for
microscopic examination.
• BLOOD BANK TECHNOLOGISTS
– specialized in the process of testing and
preparing of blood for transfusion
– other tasks:
• Blood group antigens
• Compatibility identification
• Antibody identification
• Investigate abnormalities like hemolytic
disease of the newborn and fetus (HDNF),
hemolytic anemia & adverse reactions to
transfusions
Molecular Diagnostics Technologist
• involves studying human genetics through a DNA and
RNA sample to learn more about how they contribute to
biological disease
• aid research efforts through studying samples and
reporting findings
• DNA and RNA extraction
