Overview of Medical Technology

Definition of Medical Technology

Heinemann – the application of principles of natural, physical and biological sciences to the performance of laboratory procedures which aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Definition of Medical Technology

Fagelson – The branch of medicine concerned with the performance of laboratory determinations and analyses used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the maintenance of health.

Definition of Medical Technology

Walters – the health profession concerned with performing laboratory analyses in view of obtaining information necessary in the diagnosis and treatment of disease as well as in the maintenance of good health.

What is Common among them?

Performance / Analysis

Samples

Results Diagnosis and treatment by Medical practitioners

Definition of Medical Technology

RA 5527 – Is also known as the Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969. That was approved on June 21 1969.

RA 5527 Definition of Medical Technology

An auxillary branch of laboratory medicine which deals with the examination of tissues, secretion and excretion of the human body and body fluids by various electronic, chemical, microscopic and other medical laboratory procedures or techniques either manual or automated which will aid the physician in the diagnosis study and treatment of disease and in the promotion of health in general.

What is a clinical laboratory? It is a facility that performs chemical

and microscopic examinations of various body fluids like blood and tissues.

Pathologists

The director of a clinical laboratory is a pathologist.

A pathologist is a licensed physician with a specialty in Pathology as certified by the Philippine Board of Pathology.

Definition of Pathology

Pathology is defined as the practice of medicine which contributes to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment through knowledge gained by laboratory applications to biologic, chemical or physical sciences to man or material obtained from a man.

2 areas of Pathology

Anatomic – is the diagnosis for surgical tissues

Clinical – Specializes in chemical, microbiological and hematologic procedures.

Medical Technologist

a baccalaureate degree program from a college or university recognized by CHED,

completed a specified clinical internship in a training laboratory by the Bureau of health facilities and DOH

Passed the licensure examination administered by the Board of Medical Technology of the Professional Regulation Commission

Work of a medical technologist…

Medical detectives Identify microorganisms and analyze

cells

Do blood tests Measure substance in blood and

other fluids

Identify organisms causing infection and disease

Operate complex apparatus, instrument and machines

Continuation ….

Use standards and control to improve the reliability of laboratory results

Work under pressure with speed and accuracy and precision

They adhere to high ethical standards of performance

The Medical Technician

An individual certified and registered with PRC to run various tests under the supervision of a registered medical technologist or pathologist.

May also log specimens in the laboratory and prepare samples for testing

Employment opportunities for a Medical Technology graduate

Medical technology generalist in a hospital government or private, clinical laboratories

Medical technology specialist (microbiology, hematology, blood banking, clinical chemistry, etc.)

Clinical laboratory supervisors, chief medical technologist and laboratory owners.

Continuation …..

Sales and public relations representative, or educational representatives for a company or a part of the health program for the employees.

Researchers (industrial or medical research)

Teachers or instructors in high school or in college handling chemistry, mathematics and especially biological sciences or medical sciences.

Continuation …

Opportunities for employment abroad

A stepping stone to a medical career

Personal traits of a Medical Technologist

To succeed in the medical technology profession a person needs ….. Stamina Good eye sight A normal color vision Manual dexterity Good intellect and an aptitude for

the biological sciences

Continuation…

Caring attitude Good communication skills and

ability to relate well to fellow workers Observant Motivated Able to perform precise

manipulations and calculations Good organizational skills

Other special characteristics needed in clinical laboratories

Service oriented Patience Honesty, accuracy and skills Dedication Emotional maturity “X” factor makes one likeable not

only as a medical technologist but as a total person.

The End …