Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

COURSE OUTLINE: PRELIMS ● Herodotus, the great historian, tagged the early
Egyptians as the healthiest men to the Libyans.
Introduction to Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics
● Rufus and Ephesus first described hematuria in
RA 5527 Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969
the kidney
Code of Ethics
● The formulations of Hippocrates’ humoral
Legal Issues and Concerns
pathology led to advancement in the field of
Present Position and Roles of Medical Technology in the
diagnosis. It promoted the evaluation of body fluids
Global Market
rather than the making of assumptions based on
Panunumpa ng Propesyonal
physical symptoms.
● Hippocrates analyzed urine to aid his diagnosis
and wrote the book uroscopy.
Introduction to Medical Technology ● Greeks were able to analyze if the patient is
Laws and Bioethics ●
diabetic.
The Chinese practiced the immunization of
smallpox.
● Medical Technology is a branch of the allied health ● The Romans, at the peak of their empire
professions that deal with the study of various developed laboratory tools (ex. beakers, and test
disciplines such as chemistry, microbiology, tubes among others).
parasitology, blood banking, hematology, clinical ● In India, the practice of toxicology was mentioned
microscopy, histology, and histopathology, among in the Ayurveda classics.
others.
MEDIEVAL LABORATORY PRACTICES
● Bioethics is the study of ethical, social, and legal (16TH-18TH CENTURY)
issues that arise in biomedicine and biomedical
research HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
○ bioethics is both a field of study and
professional practice, interested in ethical
issues related to health, including those ● Advancement in technology
emerging from advances in biology, ● Also great minds who encountered “dreaded”
medicine, and technologies. diseases emerged (smallpox, black plague, etc.),
○ it does not have an influence both on developed new scientific methods and discovered
patients and health professionals disease-causing organisms.
○ relevance of bioethics varies from birth to ● Zacharias Janssen opened the doors for scientists
end of life (he invented the microscope).
○ centers issues such as patient rights, ● Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek improved Janssen’s
reproductive technology, and medical microscope and increased its magnification from 9x
regulation to 270x.
○ examples of topic areas: ● In 1896- Dr. William Osler opened the first
■ organ donation laboratory at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
■ transplantation ● Sir William Osler (1849-1919) is known as the
■ genetic research “father of modern medicine” for revolutionizing the
■ death and dying way in which medical education was taught during
■ environmental concerns his tenure at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

● Principle of non-maleficence THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS IN MEDICAL

○ It is embodied in the phrase “first, do not TECHNOLOGY DURING MEDIEVAL ERA
harm”-from the Latin, “primum non
nocere”. Not harming the patient, which is
part of the Hippocratic Oath, is considered Scientist Profession Contribution
to be of the highest importance
Athanasius Jesuit Priest Used the microscope to
ANCIENT LABORATORY PRACTICES (400 B.C.) Kircher investigate the
causes of diseases
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Robert Hooke English Published the
● The diagnosis of diseases in the ancient world philosopher, Micrographia which
greatly depended on: architect, and featured
○ the mere observation of the clinical polymath illustrations of his
symptoms of the patient's palpation and observations using a
auscultations. microscope
● The medical treatment of the people in the middle
and lower classes were non-specific
● In 300 BC- several great philosophers began to use Marcello Malpighi Italian Investigated the
a rudimentary methodology to diagnose diseases

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

● The Spanish colonial administration viewed medical

microscopist embryology of chicks practices and anything that pertained to such
and “materialistic and impious studies”.
the histology and ● American occupation also began, and medical
physiology of the practices from the West were introduced in the
glands Philippines.
and viscera ● The Americans noted through several
documentation or studies on the status of public
health in the Philippines.
Jean Baptiste van Belgian mystic Developed the ● Army surgeons established the Philippine Tropical
Helmont gravimetric analysis of Disease Board to study the disease occurrence in
urine the Philippines.
● 1898 epidemic of typhoid fever occurred helps
Frederick Dekkers Medical doctor Described the protein in American scientists to further understand disease
urine causation and developed new approaches
● Filipinos don’t have the training and skills in
Richard Lower English Performed the first laboratory work.
Physiologist blood transfusion in ● Until the war broke that army surgeons of the 26th
animals medical infantry of the 6th US army began to train
Filipinos in laboratory work which spanned 46 years
from the time the Americans occupied the country
William Hewson English Described the process ● These Filipino volunteers led to the establishment of
Physiologist of coagulation the first laboratory based in the Philippines and
headed by Dr. Pio De Roda at the Public Health
Laboratory in Quiricada Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila
Francis Home Medical Doctor Developed the yeast which still stands to this day.
test for sugar in ● The Manila Sanitarium and Hospital began in July
diabetic urine 1929 as a clinic managed by Dr. Horace A. Hall, a
medical missionary.
● During WWII 1947-1949, the building was
Matthew Dobson Medical Doctor Identified sugar in the renovated
blood and urine of
diabetics MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
(WORLD WAR II)

● 26th Medical Laboratory of the 6th US Army

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES introduced MT practice in the Philippines
● 208 Quiricada St., Sta. Cruz, Manila: ist clinical
● Several events took place in Europe which led to laboratory; location of the present Manila Public
the discovery of important organisms and the Health Laboratory
development of public health. ● February 1944: training programs were offered to
● What is the role of MedTech in public health? high school graduates
○ Medical technology enables the early and
accurate diagnosis of health problems, DR. ALFREDO PIO DE RODA
facilitating timely intervention and
improving outcomes. ● Took the pain to preserve and save the remnants of
○ Innovative products can replace, repair, the laboratory
and sustain failing body functions, while ● Thought that the residents of Manila could better be
telemedicine and connected devices allow served by laboratory methods to solve their
remote monitoring of patients’ conditions. problems in relation to health
● John Snow investigated the cholera outbreak in ● Assisted by Dr. Mariano Icasiano (1st Manila City
London. Health Officer) known as Manila Public Health
Laboratory

BEGINNING OF THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL DR. PRUDENCIA C. STA. ANA

TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES (19th Century)
● With Dr. Alfredo revived the training of medical
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES technicians for high school and paramedic
graduates
● During the Spanish era, UST offered courses in ● Training has no certificates and definite period
medicine and other natural sciences courses. ● 1954 Dr. Alfredo instructed Dr. Sta. Ana to prepare
a training program syllabus based on 6-month
laboratory training with a certificate issued upon

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

● Dr. Tirso Briones joined the 2 doctors in the training ● He/she should follow the rules and regulations of a
program duly recognized institution offering this program.

MRS. WILLA HILGERT HEDRICK PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

● American medical practitioner and a missionary of ● After obtaining and registering his/her license, the
the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to the medical technologist should apply and register with
Philippines any of the two professional organizations, namely
● Founder of Medical Technology course and the Philippine Association of Schools in Medical
introduced to Manila Sanitarium and Hospital (now Technology and Public Health (PASMETH) and the
Manila Adventist Medical Center) at Pasay City and Philippine Association of Medical Technologists
Philippines Union College (now Adventist University (PAMET).
of the Philippines) at Baesa, Caloocan City (now ● He/She should uphold the goals and objectives of
Silang, Cavite) (1954) these professional organizations, observe their
rules and regulations and attend seminars and
JESSE UMALI workshops, and conventions.

● First graduate of BS Medical Technology (March MODERNIZATION ACT OF MEDICAL

1955) at the Philippine Union College (now TECHNOLOGY
Adventist University of the Philippines)
● Avelino Oliva and Adoracion Yutuc: graduated BS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 2011
Medical Technology (Summer 1955)
● The Medical Technology Act of 2011 (Senate Bill
TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT TRIGGERED THE 2722) is an act that regulates and modernizes the
START OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE practice of medical technology. It repealed Republic
Acts 5527, 6138, and 8982 and presidential
● The opening of the Suez Canal facilitated the decrees 498 and 1534
dissemination of information from West to the East.
● Because of the outbreak of WWII, the American The state recognizes the importance of the medical
soldiers who were based in the Philippines trained technology profession in nation-building and development
Filipinos in routine laboratory techniques which through the portals of health care, education, and research.
ultimately paved the way for the establishment of Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous,
medical technology in the country. productive, and well-rounded medical technologists whose
standard practice and service shall be world-class.
PHILIPPINE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY LAWS
The State shall promote, regulate and protect the
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS professional practice of medical technology in the Philippines
and shall ensure its continued growth and development and
the maintenance of high international standards of practice.
● In the world of professional practice in the (Section 2, SB 2722)
Philippines, a medical technologist is mandated to
observe the Code of Professional Ethics at all
times.
● From the time he/she acquires his/her license,
he/she is deemed a professional.
● He/She shall uphold professional ethics and
observe punctuality, honesty, diligence, dedication,
and respect. Professional ethics are aligned with
the rule in the Civil Code of the Philippines which
states that:
● Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and
in the performance of his duties, act with justice,
give everyone his due, and observe honesty, and
good faith (Article 19, Chapter 2, NCC)

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER FOR MEDICAL

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION AND POLICIES

● Students of the Bachelor of Science in Medical

Technology should comply with the CHED RA 5527 Philippine Medical
memorandum order which states that a student
should complete three years of academic courses Technology Act of 1969
and internship.

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY LAWS AND BIOETHICS

Medical Technology An auxiliary branch of laboratory
(MTLBE) medicine that deals with the
examination of various chemical,
● is a prerequisite for Introduction to Medical microscopic, bacteriologic, and other
Technology. medical laboratory procedures or
● It emphasizes the laws that you have to know as a techniques which will aid the physician
Medical technologist. in the diagnosis, study, and treatment of
disease and in the promotion of health
PHILIPPINE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1969 in general.

● Republic Act 5527

● 32 Sections Medical Technologist A person who engages in the work of
medical technology under the
AMENDMENTS supervision of a pathologist or licensed
physician authorized by the department
REPUBLIC ACT 6138 of health in places where there is no
pathologist and who having passed a
● An Act to amend certain sections of RA 5527 prescribed course (Bachelor of Science
● August 31, 1970 in Medical Technology/Bachelor of
● Sections 16, 21 and 22 Science in Hygiene) of training and
examination is registered under the
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 498 provision of this Act.

● creation of an MT Board under the PRC w/ 3 Medical Technician A person who not being a graduate of
members Bachelor of Science in Medical
● June 28, 1974 Technology/Bachelor of Science in
● Sec. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13, 16, 17, 21 and29 Hygiene, but has passed the
corresponding civil service examination,
performs the work of medical
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1534
technology under the supervision of a
registered medical technologist and/or
● accreditation of schools for Med Tech & Clinical qualified pathologist.
Labs
● June 11, 1978
● Sec. 3, 8, and 13 Accredited Medical A clinical laboratory, office, agency,
Technology Training clinic, or hospital sanitarium duly
SECTION I Laboratory approved by the Department of Health
or its authorized agency.
● Title
“The Medical Technology Act of 1969” Recognized School of Any school, college, or university which
Medical Technology offers a course in Medical Technology
approved by the Department of
SECTION II Education in accordance with the
requirements under this Act, upon
recommendation of the council of
medical technology education.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Council
TERM DEFINITION
Board
Pathologist A duly registered physician who is
specially trained in methods of
laboratory medicine, of the gross and
microscopic study and interpretation of
tissues, secretions, and excretions of
the human body and its functions in
order to diagnose disease, follows its
course, determine the effectivity of
treatment, ascertain the cause of death
and advances in medicine by means of SECTION III
research.
● Council of Medical Technology Education, its
composition:
○ Chair:

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

■ Director of CHED
○ To promulgate, prescribe and enforce
○ Vice Chair: necessary rules and regulations for the
■ Chair of PRC proper implementation of the foregoing
actions.
○ Members:
■ Director of DOH SECTION VI
■ Board of MT
■ PASMETH (Representative) ● Minimum Required Course:
■ PSP President ○ The Council is hereby authorized, subject
■ PAMET President to the approval of the Secretary of
Education, to change, remove from, or add
SECTION IV to the subjects listed as the needs and
demands of progress in the science of
● Compensation and Traveling Expenses of medical technology may require.
Council Members
○ CMO No. 14, s. 2006
SECTION V CMO Number 08, series of 1998
○ CMO Number 27, series of 1998
● Functions of the Council of Medical Technology MT Internship
Education
SECTION VII
○ To recommend the minimum required
curriculum for the course of medical ● Board of Examiners for Medical Technology
technology. ● Board is under the PRC Composition
○ Chairman
○ To determine and prescribe the number of ■ 2 Members:
students to be allowed to take up the ○ Pathologist
medical technology course in each school, ■ RMTs
taking into account the student-instructor ● 1st Appointees:
ratio and the availability of facilities for ○ Dr. Marietta Baccay, MD
instruction. ○ Marilynn Atienza, RMT
○ Marian Tantiangco, RMT
○ To approve medical technology schools
meeting the requirements and recommend SECTION VIII
closure of those found to be substandard.
● Qualifications of Examiners:
○ To require all medical technology schools ○ Filipino citizen
to submit an annual report, including the ○ With good moral character
total number of students and instructors, a ○ Qualified pathologist (Chairman)
list of facilities available for instruction, and ○ Registered Medical Technologists
a list of their recent graduates and new (members)
admissions, on or before the month of
June. SECTION IX
○ To inspect, when necessary, the different ● Executive Officer of the Board
medical technology schools in the country ○ Composed of:
in order to determine whether a high ■ Commissioners (Civil Service)
standard of education is maintained in said ● Executive officer of the
institutions. board
■ Secretary of the Board of
○ To certify for admission into an Examiners
undergraduate internship, students who
have satisfactorily completed three years
of the medical technology course or its
equivalent and collect from said students
the amount of five pesos each as accrued
money to the operating fund of the SECTION X
Council.
● Compensation of Members of the Board of
○ Formulate and recommend approval of Examiners for Medical Technology:
refresher courses for applicants who have ○ 10.00 - each applicant examined
failed the Board Examination for the third ○ 5.00 - each applicant w/COR or w/out
time. exam

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

SECTION XI ● Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology

and of Training Laboratories
● Functions and Duties of the Board ○ The School of Medical Technology must
○ Administer the provisions of this act first acquire an authority from CHED to be
○ Administer oaths Issue, suspend and able to offer the BS Medical Technology
revoke CORs of medical technologists and course.
medical technicians ○ Training laboratories must get a license
○ Look into conditions affecting the practice from DOH (through BHFS). To get a
of MT in the Philippines license, the laboratory must possess
○ Investigate violations of this Act, and for qualified personnel and is properly
this purpose issue subpoena and equipped to carry out the laboratory
subpoena duces tecum to secure procedures commonly required in the field
appearance of witnesses and production of of Medical Technology
pertinent documents
■ Subpoena
● a command to appear at SECTION XIV
a certain time and place
to give testimony upon a ● Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical
certain government Technology:
matter. ○ No person shall practice the medical
■ 2 kinds of subpoena technology profession unless he/she has a
1. A subpoena ad valid COR from the MT Board.
testificandum brings
people to testify before
the court or hearing SECTION XV
2. A subpoena duces
tecum describes ● Examination:
evidence (documents, ○ A graduate can only practice the MT
tape, recording, photos, profession if he/she is able to PASS the
guns, etc.) which must written board examination.
be brought before the ○ Examinations are given twice a year.
court or hearing (March and September)
○ Thirty days before the examination, written
notice shall be published in at least three
Administrative Quasi-legislative Quasi-judicial (3) newspapers with national circulation.
Power Power

Execute and Drafts rules and Power to SECTION XVI

implement laws regulations to investigate, hear,
implement laws and finally to ● Qualification for Examination:
decide issues ○ In good health
brought before ○ of good moral character
an agency ○ Has completed at least 4 years of BS Med
Tech/ BS Public Health
○ Graduates of other professions if they
have been practicing the MT profession for
SECTION XII the last 5 years prior to the date of
examinations (if such performance began
● Removal of Board Members before June 21, 1969)
● Grounds to remove a board member ● Foreigners may take licensure exam if:
○ Neglect of duty ○ He has complied with all the requirements
○ Incompetency embodied in the PRC resolution No. 323
○ Malpractice series of 1994
○ Unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or ● The alien applicant must show that;
dishonorable conduct. ○ The board has an established reciprocity in
○ Provided that during the process of the practice of the profession between the
investigation, the President shall have the Philippines and his country/state.
power to suspend such a member under ○ Three (3) years permanent residence
investigation and appoint a temporary ○ The curricula are substantially similar
member in his place.
SECTION XVII

SECTION XIII ● Scope of Examination

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

SECTION XX
Clinical 20% 100 items
Chemistry ● Oath Taking
○ All successful examinees shall be required
to take a professional oath before the
Microbiology & 20% 100 items
Board or before any person authorized to
Parasitology
administer oaths prior to entering upon the
practice of medical technology in the
Hematology 20% 100 items Philippines.
Blood Banking 20% 100 items
SECTION XXI
and Serology
● Issuance of Certificate of Registration:
Clinical 10% 100 items ○ COR- issued after the applicant passed
Microscopy the MT Board exam.
○ No COR shall be issued to a board exam
Histopathologic 10% 100 items passer if he/she is less than 21 year old
Techniques ○ RMTs shall be required to display his/her
Cytology, MT COR in the place where he works
Laws ○ The Board shall issue COR as MT without
examination
● Resolution 338, Series of 1994, Dated November ■ BSMT or BS Public Health (duly
24, 1994 recognized schools) in the
Philippines or in any foreign
SECTION XVIII country.
○ (RECIPROCITY)
● Report of Ratings: ■ Graduates of other courses who
○ The Board shall, within one hundred and have been actually performing
twenty days (120 days) after the date of MT practice for the last 5 - 8
completion of the examination, report the years and such performance
result thereof to the Commissioner of Civil began prior to June 21, 1969.
Service, who shall submit such result to
the President of the Philippines for SECTION XXII
approval.
○ New Policy: 10 days ● Fees:
○ Fee for examination
SECTION XIX ○ Registration
○ Issuance of COR
● Ratings in the Examination ○ New certificate lost and destroyed ❑ COR
○ In order to pass the examination, a ■ Chairperson of the PRC
candidate must obtain a general average ■ 3 members of the Board
of at least 75% in the written test, (Chairman and two members)
○ with no rating below fifty percent in any of
the major subjects: SECTION XXIII
○ Provided that the candidate has not failed
in at least sixty percent of the subjects ● Refusal to Issue Certificate:
computed according to their relative ○ The board shall refuse to issue a COR to:
weights. ○ Any person convicted by court
○ No further examination will be given after ○ Immoral or dishonorable conduct
failing three (3) examinations ○ Unsound mind
○ Provided, ○ Incurable, communicable disease
• That the graduate of
paramedical profession other SECTION XXIV
than Bachelor of Science in
Medical Technology or Bachelor ● Administrative investigation:
of Science in Hygiene admitted ○ Investigation conducted by:
an examination under the ■ At least 2 members of the Board
provision of this act ■ With the presence of 1 legal
● (At present, after 3 failed officer- shall not participate in the
tests: REFRESHER proceedings but sees to it that the
COURSE is taken from investigation is within the bounds
an accredited BSMT of law.
school/institution) ○ Penalty of Suspension of license
■ Majority vote (2/3)

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

○ Penalty of revocation ○ Any RMT who shall refuse or fail, after

■ Unanimous vote (3/3) warning by the MT board, to display COR
○ Any person who shall give any false or
SECTION XXV fraudulent evidence of any kind in
obtaining a COR as a Medical
● Appeal Technologist.
○ Revocation or suspension of license can ○ Any person who shall impersonate any
be appealed to the PRC whose decision registrant of like or the same name
shall become final after 30 days unless
appealed to the President of the SECTION XXX
Philippines.
● Separability Clause
SECTION XXVI ○ This is the part that states that if any
section or provision of this Act is held to be
● Reinstatement, Reissue or Replacement of unconstitutional or revoked, the other
Certificate: sections or provisions of the law shall not
○ If suspension period has already been be affected.
finished, COR shall be re-issued upon
request. SECTION XXXI
○ The Board of Medical Technology may
re-issue revoked COR for reasons deemed ● Repealing Clause
proper and sufficient after the application ○ All acts, executive orders, rules and
of re-issuance. regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby
SECTION XXVII repealed.

● Foreign Reciprocity SECTION XXXII

○ No foreigner shall be admitted to
examination or be given a COR or be ● Effectivity
entitled to any of the rights or privileges ○ This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
under this act unless the country or state ○ Approved: June 21, 1969
of which he is a subject or a citizen permits
Filipino MTs to practice within its territorial
limits on the same basis as the subjects or President of the Ferdinand E. Marcos
citizens of said country or state Philippines:

Senate President: Gil Puyat

SECTION XXVIII

● Roster of Medical Technologist Speaker of the House of Jose B. Laurel, Jr.

○ Prepared annually by the secretary of the Representatives
board
○ Delisting of names of delinquent Secretary of the House of Inocencio B. Pareja
professionals from the Rolls of registered Representatives
Professionals
○ Those whose COR have been suspended
and whose names have been delisted from
the rolls are not allowed to practice their
professions until such time that the
suspension has been lifted.
○ Those found practicing illegally will be
criminally liable.
SECTION XXIX LEGAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS
● Penal Provisions ● The Legal issues and concerns that should be
○ Punishable acts who shall practice Medical addressed in the amendment proceedings of R.A.
Technology 5527 and other Presidential Decrees are following:
○ Any person who shall practice Medical
Technology in the Philippines without being I. Inhibition against the medical technology
registered or exempted from registration in professional services
accordance with this act. ● Illegal medical technology practices and
○ Any RMT who practices without the services should be properly addressed. All
necessary supervision of qualified medical technologist performing other
pathologist or physician authorized by functions which are not within the bounds
DOH

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

of their job description should be treated practice and expanding the rights and privileges
accordingly. extended to an individual or a group of person.

II. Acts of commission or negligence and malpractice

● refers to conduct lacking in due care. It
may be brought by too much work and/or Code of Ethics
accepting work outside office hours.
● Malpractice is improper or unethical CODE OF ETHICS OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
conduct of a professional
As I enter into the practice of Medical Technology, I shall
III. Absence of Supervising Pathologist accept the responsibilities inherent to being a professional; I
● Some medical technologists feel they are shall uphold the law and shall not engage in illegal work nor
deprived of recognition and identity. cooperate with anyone so engaged; I shall avoid associating
However, in reality, medical technologists or being identified with any enterprise of questionable
have long been recognized in their work. character;
Their duty is to do the laboratory
examination of biological specimen. I shall work and act in a strict spirit of fairness to employer,
clients, contractors, employees and in a spirit of personal
IV. Issuance and revocation of license certificates of helpfulness and fraternity toward other members of the
registration profession;
● Due process of law must be observed I shall use only honorable means of competition for
before revoking license certificates of professional employment or services and shall refrain from
registration. unfairly injuring, directly or indirectly, the professional
● It is also necessary to review the reputation, projects or business of a fellow medical
provisions of the law before the issuance technologist; I shall accept employment from more than one
or non-issuance of certificates to those employer only when there is no conflict of interest;
who passed or failed the licensure exam.
I shall perform professional work in a manner that merits full
V. Biohazard pay extended to practicing medical confidence and trust carried out with absolute reliability,
technologist accuracy, fairness and honesty; I shall review the
● Not all small clinical laboratories can afford professional work of other medical technologists, when
a biohazard pay. Since medical requested, fairly and in confidence whether they are
technologist are prone to infection while subordinates or employees, authors of proposals for grants
working in the laboratory, the provision of a or contracts, authors of technical papers or other publications
biohazard pay should be strictly or involved in litigation; Code of Ethics of Medical Technology
augmented and reviewed.
I shall advance the profession by exchanging general
VI. Legal Assistance extended to aggrieved medical information and experience with fellow medical technologists
technologists and other professionals and by contributing to the work of
● In case of criminal, civil, or administrative professional organizations;
case, it is the right of aggrieved medical
technologists to secure legal assistance. I shall restrict my praises, criticisms, views and opinions
They should be given an equal chance to within constructive limits and shall not use the knowledge I
defend themselves. Due process should know for selfish ends; I shall treat any information I acquired
be afforded to them. about individuals in the course of my work as strictly
confidential, and may be divulged only to authorized persons
VII. use of techniques by other healthcare practitioners or entities or with consent of the individual when necessary;
● The right to learn and execute the
phlebotomy technique has been an issue I shall report any infractions of these principles of
and concern of some medical technologist professional conduct to the authorities responsible of
against other healthcare practitioner. enforcement of applicable laws or regulations, or to the
Ethics Committee of the Philippine Association of Medical
VIII. The claim of ownership Technologists as may be appropriate.
● This is also a contentious issue among
medical technologist and other healthcare To these principles, I hereby subscribe and pledge to
practitioners conduct myself at all times in a manner befitting the dignity of
my profession.
AMENDMENTS

● are changes to certain provisions of a Republic Act.

They are based on the premise that changes are Legal Issues and Concerns
made or to be made for the purpose of adapting to
what is presently existing in the professional

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

● In the Philippines, the legal issues and concerns in

the practice of medical technology profession ● Attendance in lectures, meetings or
include the following training programs, and other similar
activities shall not be counted as working
1. The right to perform the profession with minimal time if all the following conditions are met.
supervision o a registered pathologist
● This right has been demanded along with 1. attendance is outside the
the duties of a registered pathologist. By employee’s regular working hrs.
function and duty, a registered medical 2. attendance is, in fact, voluntary;
technologist is tasked to supervise the and
entire clinical or anatomical pathology 3. the employee does not perform
laboratory. any productive work during such
attendance
2. The right to enjoy the privilege and [prestige of
being a medical technologist 5. The right to have a conducive workplace and good
● Such right is inherent in all professionals. working conditions
A medical technologist enjoys the privilege A. This right was afforded to the workforce
of doing all laboratory examinations and and to all laborers. By definition, conditions
prestige of being called Clinical Scientist. are more pronounced in the provision of
the Labor Code of the Philippines. One of
● The privilege to perform all laboratory these provisions is as follows.
examinations requires expertise,
experience, and training. B. Every employer shall give his employees,
regardless of sex, not less than 1 hr for
3. The right to have just compensation regular meals, except in the following
● The term just compensation means fair cases of a meal period not less than 20
compensation and salary including the min may be given by the employer
benefits received by an employed medical provided that a shorter meal period is
technologist which is commensurate to the credited as compensable hours of the
service he/she renders as a professional. employee

● During the implementation of RA 5527, the a. When the work is non-traditional

salary of registered medical technologists work in nature and does not
was below the minimum wage. However, involve strenuous physical
the law was amended, resulting in an exertion.
increase in the salary of medical b. When the establishment regularly
technologists. The PASMETH and the operates not less than sixteen hrs
PAMET help uplift the standard of living for a day.
medical technologists. c. In case of actual or implementing,
exigencies or there is urgent work
3.1. The right to have hazard pay and other benefits to perform on machinery,
● Every working medical technologist is equipment, or installations to
entitled to receive hazard pay and other avoid serious loss, which the
benefits extended to any person being employer would otherwise suffer.
employed in a clinical, hospital-based, or d. When the work is necessary to
school-based laboratory. prevent serious loss of perishable
goods. Rest periods of coffee
4. The right to have continuous professional growth breaks running from 5 to 20 mins
and development shall be considered as
● As a member of various professional compensable working hrs.
organizations, he/she is required to attend
seminars or workshops for professional
advancement and updating.

● 60 CPD/CPE (Continuing Professional Present Position and Roles of Medical

Education)
Technology in the Global Market
● On occasion, a medical technologist who
attends seminars can receive a salary and ● The medical technology profession occupies a
can declare his/her attending an official central position and plays a major role in the global
engagement as working time, if the market. It aims to achieve the highest recognition as
conditions are met pursuant to the a partner of healthcare practitioners.
provision of the Omnibus Implementing
Rules and Regulations of the Labor Code ➢ Readiness to compete amidst global changes and
of the Phil. innovation

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

○ The medical technology profession is in

the process of updating its professional
practice with the latest technological
know-how and skills.

○ Whatever global changes and innovations ● The medical technology profession has been taking
are taking place, the medical technology steps to show its major role in the global world as a
profession can easily adapt. healthcare provider. Medical technology has been
actively;
➢ Dedication to embrace the principles of the latest
technology 1. Engaging in scientific research whose
○ If the principles call for the use of present trend is more on genomic
automation, such as a discrete analyzer, architectures (DNA/Genes).
every medical technologist should be 2. Participating in medical missions for the
oriented with the principles of automation. medical technology profession to be
considered as one of the allied medical
➢ Dedication to work and consistency to make professions reaching out to the poor and
decisions and judgments needy.
○ To demonstrate dedication to work and 3. Considering updates in medical technology
consistency in making decisions and education
judgment, it is necessary to respect the 4. Working on and manifesting its best
rights of the patient. potential in scientific inquiry.
5. Soliciting suggestions or advice from other
○ A medical technologist should execute paramedical professionals for further
his/her assigned task with accuracy, improvement and upgrading of technology.
reliability, and discretion. Negligence and
gross mistakes have no place in global
work practice.

➢ Drive to be kept abreast of the latest updates in

scientific research
○ Speaking of work coverage, the task
assigned to a medical technologist covers
scientific research updates and activities.

○ Scientific research is a professional calling

and nobody else aside from the author can
claim moral rights over his/her work.

➢ Willingness to uphold the value of its professional

organizations
○ The Medical technologist, as a bona fide
member of a professional organization,
should uphold the goals, objectives,
mission, and vision of his/her professional
organization.

○ The insignia or emblem of a professional

organization signifies its character and
purposive function.

Panunumpa ng Propesyonal
Ako, si ______, ng _____ay taimtim na nanunumpa
na itataguyod ko at ipagtatanggol ang Saligang Batas ng
Pilipinas, na ako ay tunay na mananalig at tatalima rito; na
susundin ko ang mga batas, mga utos na legal, at mga atas
na ipinahayag ng mga sadyang itinakdang may
kapangyarihan ng Republika ng Pilipinas; at kusa kong
babalikatin ang pananagutang ito, na walang ano mang
pasubali o hangaring umiwas. Taimtim pa rin akong
manunumpa na sa lahat ng panahon at pook na
kinaroroonan ay mahigpit akong manghahawakan sa mga
etikal at tuntuning propesyonal ng mga ______ sa Pilipinas,

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 Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

at marapat kong gagampanan ng buong husay sa abot ng

aking makakaya ang mga tungkulin at pananagutang
iniatang sa isang itinakdang _____.

Kasihan Nawa ako ng Diyos

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