Medical Technology

Medical Technology was offered by the Philippine Union College (now known as

Adventist University of the Philippines) in 1954 through its sister establishment, the

Manila Sanitarium. After 2 years, the said school graduated its very first graduate, Dr.

Jesse Umali who became an obstetrician-gynecologist and owner of Omega Laboratory

located in Vito Cruz, Manila. During the school years 1957-1958, Dr. Antonio Gabriel

and Dr. Gustavo U. Reyes of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Santo Tomas

offered medical technology as an elective to 4th and 5th year B.S. Pharmacy students.

Due to the popularity of the said profession among Pharmacy students, the regent back

then, Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Rodriguez decided to offer it as a course. It was in June 17,

1957, a temporary permit was issued by the Department of Education for 1st to 3rd year

students, then, in June 1960, the permit for the internship program was issued. The full

recognition of the 4 year BS Medical Technology course was given on June 14, 1961.

In Centro Escolar University, Mrs. Purificacion Sunico-Suaco undertook

possibility study for the offering of Medical Technology course. The proposal was

granted permission by the University president back then, Carmen de Luna. In 1962, it

produced its 1st batch of graduates. The Far Easter University followed in establishing a

school for Medical Technology. It was initiated by the late Dr. Horacio A. Ylagan and Dr.

Serafin J. Juliano. In 1961, the idea was brought to the Advisory Council of the

University, hence, by the authority granted by the late Dr. Lauro H. Panganiban, dean of

the Institute of Medicine and Dr. Jesus Nolasco, Secretary of the Institute, the FEU

School of Medical Technology was finally opened in 1962 under the joint auspices of the

Institute of Medicine (now known as Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation) and Institute of
Arts and Sciences. The recognition and approval of education authorities was handled

personally by Dr. Ylagan, the Technical Director of the newly formed school. Together

with his colleagues, he worked for the introduction of a 4-year course leading to the

degree of subjects suited for the curriculum and the preparation of classes were

conveniently arranged. It produced its first graduates in 1963. After which, many schools

and universities followed to offer the BS Medical Technology course.

(INSERT HERE THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN ST. JUDE COLLEGE)

Medical Technology or also known as Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory

Science is a four year degree program that equips students with knowledge and skills in

laboratory tests used in the detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases.

The program consists of general education subjects and professional subjects (such as

Clinical Chemistry and Blood Banking). You will be taught on how to collect, preserve

and analyze specimens such as blood, urine, cells and tissues as well as the

preparation of reagents (compounds or substances added to a specimen in order to

create a chemical reaction) and stains (a discoloration made by a foreign matter) . The

program will also train you on how to use modern equipments, instruments and

scientific methods to provide accurate laboratory results.

According to Republic Act 5527, also known as the Philippine Medical

Technology Act of 1969, Medical Technology is defined as an auxiliary branch of

laboratory medicine which deals with the examination by various chemical, microscopic,

bacteriologic and other medical laboratory procedure or technique which will aid the

physician in the diagnosis, study and treatment of disease and in the promotion of
health in general. The said act also legally practices the said profession. The following

are the subject involves: Hematology, Blood Banking, Immunology and Serology, Clinical

Chemistry, Bacteriology, Parasitology, Clinical Microscopy and Histopathology. These are

designed to develop students capabilities in performing laboratory tests designed to help the

medical practitioner establish or confirm clinical diagnosis, or aid in making a differential

diagnosis that will ultimately influence the management of the patient. (Presidential Decree No.

1198)

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology is one of the known and in

demand courses in the country today. Passing the licensure examination is a

requirement for the practice of the profession. Aside from this, the said examination will

also benefit the graduate as it will enhance and nourish their skills and learning.

Seminar Program

Seminar is the last academic professional subject prior to internship. The course

will provide the students with in depth knowledge and understanding of the principles of

special diagnostic methods that are performed in the different areas of the clinical

laboratory. The course also includes topics on the new frontiers or breakthroughs in the

Medical Laboratory Science profession.

In the case in St. Jude College, the seminar is called Integrated Medical

Laboratory Science; this is a 3 unit subject that is usually done on Saturday from 8am to

5pm. The distinct characteristic of seminar is that, it is a topic review that is used by the

St. Jude College to improve the performance in the board examination. Lectures are

conducted every Saturday of the month by another set of invited resource speakers or

professional reviewer to update and review the interns on their theoretical and clinical
knowledge in the different laboratory sections. Comprehensive examinations are given

after every seminar and are also supplemented by the continuing lectures, quizzes, oral

and practical examinations given by the Clinical Internship Coordinators during weekly

visits to the Affiliation Centers.

The seminar program is designed to prepare students for a career in the

profession of medical laboratory science by acquiring theoretical knowledge and

practical skills in various disciplines of the specialty. Besides presenting theoretical

knowledge, the program is dedicated to training students in the reliable performance of

physical, chemical and biological tests by utilizing routine and automated techniques. In

addition students are trained to develop the ability to interpret generated laboratory

results and hence contribute to the diagnosis of disease. Continuing ones education,

and updating skills and knowledge, as well as medical professional ethics, is

emphasized. (Ramia, 2010)

Seminar Program, according to MIIETL (2012), is a scholarly activity that helps

improve student learning. It is as process of gathering and analyzing information from

multiple sources that aims to understand and enhance teaching and learning in any

undergraduate program. Ideally, it occurs during the academic year. Further, seminar

program is also known as assessment, program evaluation, quality enhancement and

quality improvement. Program review helps departments clarify their mission and vision,

pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, improve class room efficiency and determine the

value of students learning experience.

According to Lewis and Clack School report (2004), different

Institutions/University/Colleges/Schools established several enhancement/seminar

programs to build and produce graduates that are well competitive and molded to be

professionals who may contribute in the growth of medical technology industry and even

in other field.

Medical Technology Curriculum

According to the Philippines Universities and Colleges Guide the subjects in the

BS Medical Technology curriculum are divided into four main categories:

o General Education Courses: Language and Humanities Cluster, Mathematics,

Computer and Natural Science Cluster, Social Sciences Cluster, Mandated

Subjects

o Basic Courses: Introduction to Medical Technology with Science, Technology and

Society (STS), Anatomy & Physiology, Community and Public Health, Principles

and Strategies of Teaching in Health Education

o Core Courses: Biological Science, Chemistry, Qualitative and Quantitative

Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry

o Professional Courses: Microbiology, Bacteriology, Mycology/Virology, Clinical

Chemistry, Routine Clinical Chemistry, Special Chemistry, Endocrinology,

Toxicology And Drug Testing, Histology, Analysis of Urine and Other Body Fluids

(Clinical Microscopy), Pharmacology, Cytogenetics, Med Tech Laws & Bioethics,

Laboratory Management, Parasitology, Immunology & Serology,

Immunohematology (Blood Banking), Hematology, General Pathology,

Histopathologic/Cytologic Techniques, Research 1 (Introduction to Research),

 Research 2 (Research Paper Writing), Special topics on Medical Laboratory

Science.

Students of the BS Medical Technology program spend most of their time in the

classroom listening to lectures and inside the laboratory doing practicum exercises.

They are able to learn the different clinical laboratory tests through return

demonstrations. Clinical Instructors will perform the procedure first; afterwards, students

will have the chance to do the procedures themselves and will be graded based on a

performance rating scale. In the fourth year of the program, students need to complete

a research paper. Once finished, they will defend their work in front of a panel and will

be graded on a certain criteria. The second semester of the fourth year level is the

internship program in an accredited training laboratory with rotational duties in the

different sections such as Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology,

Immunohematology, Immunology and Serology, Urinalysis and Body Fluids,

Parasitology and Histopathology. (FindUniversity, 2010-2017)

Curriculum Higher Education Institutions (CHED) offering Medical Technology/

Medical Laboratory Science education may exercise flexibility in their curricular offering.

However, medical technology/medical laboratory science subjects as prescribed in the

sample program of study shall be implemented.

Curriculum Outline:

Professional Courses ----------------------------------------50 units

Microbiology --------------------------------------------7 units

Bacteriology ------------------------------------5 units

Mycology/Virology -------------------------- 2 units

Clinical Chemistry --------------------------------------9 units

Clinical Chem. 1 (Routine Clinical Chemistry) -----------4

Clinical Chem. 2 (Special Chemistry) -----------------------3

Clinical Chem. 3 (Endocrinology, Toxicology

And Drug Testing) ---------------------2
Histology --------------------------------------------------2 units
Analysis of Urine and Other Body Fluids
(Clinical Microscopy) -----------------------------------3 units
Pharmacology ------------------------------------------ 2 units
Cytogenetics -------------------------------------------- 2 units

Med Tech Laws & Bioethics------------------------- 3 units

Laboratory Management ----------------------------- 2 units

Parasitology --------------------------------------------- 3 units

Immunology & Serology ----------------------------- 4 units

 Immunohematology (Blood Banking) ----------- 3 units

Hematology 1 ------------------------------------------- 4 units

Hematology 2 ------------------------------------------- 3 units

Gen. Pathology,Histopathologic /
Cytologic Techniques ------------------------ 3 units
Research ------------------------------------------------- 3 units
Research 1 (Introduction to Research) -----------1 unit

Research 2 (Research Paper Writing) ------------ 2 units

Seminar (Special Topics) ----------------------------- 6 units

At the end of the BS Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science

program, the total number of exposure/contact hours in the laboratory is as

follows:

Clinical Chemistry - 392 hrs.

Clinical Microscopy & Parasitology - 338 hrs.

Microbiology - 258 hrs.

Hematology - 228 hrs.

Blood Banking - 204 hrs.

Histopathologic Technique & Cytology - 208 hrs.

Immunology & Serology - 104 hrs.

Research - 54 hrs.
___________________
Total = 1,786 hours