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• RA 7722, also known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994," declares the state's policy to protect, foster, and promote the right to affordable quality education at all levels
• RA 7722 ensures that education is accessible to all and protects academic freedom
• The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is created as an independent body separate from the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports, attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes only
• The Commission on Higher Education is composed of 5 full-time members, including the Chairman and four commissioners, who must meet specific requirements such as having earned doctorates and being actively engaged in higher education for at least 10 years
• The term of office for the full-time chairman and commissioners of the Commission on Higher Education is 4 years, with the possibility of one reappointment
• The chairman and commissioners of the Commission on Higher Education have the rank of the Department Secretary and Undersecretary, receiving the same compensation and subject to the same disqualifications
• The Board of Advisers of the Commission on Higher Education includes various government officials and heads of organizations to assist in aligning policies and plans with national development needs
• The Commission on Higher Education formulates and recommends development plans, sets minimum standards for programs and institutions of higher learning, and identifies centers of excellence for world-class scholarship and national development
• The Commission on Higher Education administers the Higher Education Development Fund, reviews charters of institutions of higher learning, and promulgates rules and regulations for the effective operation and enhancement of higher education
• CMO No. 13 s 2017 provides policies, standards, and guidelines for the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science (BSMT/BMLS) Program
• Private Higher Education Institutions intending to offer BSMT/MLS must secure proper authority from the Commission on Higher Education, and existing institutions must shift to an outcomes-based approach based on the guidelines provided
• HEIs are allowed to design curricula suited to their context and missions as long as they demonstrate that it leads to the attainment of required minimum outcomes
• The BSMT/BMLS program is a four-year program consisting of general education and professional courses, with the 4th year being an internship program in a CHED-accredited training laboratory
• Graduates of the BSMT/BMLS program are prepared for various professions such as Licensed MT/MLS, Diagnostic Molecular Scientists, Research Scientists, Educators, and more in allied medical fields like Public Health, Molecular Biology, and Health Administration
• Graduates of the BSMT/BMLS program are expected to demonstrate technical competence in clinical lab tests, analytical and critical thinking skills, collection and analysis of health information, interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and ethical practice of the profession
• Graduates of the MT/MLS program have the ability to:

  • Apply research skills in relevant areas of MT/MLS practice
  • Participate in community-oriented activities
  • Engage in lifelong learning activities
  • Demonstrate effective teaching and communication skills
• Each program outcome has performance indicators
• Example performance indicator: demonstrate technical competence in the performance of clinical lab tests in aid of diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases vis-a-vis biosafety and waste management
• Graduates of the program shall be able to:

  1. Collect, handle, and process biological specimens properly and safely

  2. Perform laboratory testing accurately through the use of appropriate techniques, skills, and technology

  3. Analyze and interpret laboratory test data

  4. Monitor testing procedures, equipment, and professional/technical competency using quality assurance methodologies
• HEIs offering MT/MLS education may exercise flexibility in their curricular offering
• MT/MLS courses as prescribed in the sample program shall be implemented
• HEIs offering MT/MLS program shall be administered by a full-time dean/head who:

  • Is a Filipino citizen
  • Must be of good moral character
  • Must be a registered MT in the Philippines with an updated PRC license
  • Holds a graduate degree + Master’s degree in MT, Public Health, Education Administration, or Doctor of Medicine with Masters in MT, Public Health, Education Administration; and other MT/MLS related programs
• Qualifications for the dean/head of MT:

  • At least 5 years of very satisfactory teaching experience in MT/MLS professional courses
  • At least 2 years of managerial/supervisory competence and technical expertise in school management
  • Must be an active member of good standing in PRC-accredited professional organizations for MT and Association of schools of MT
  • Should have no teaching assignment/administrative function in other HEIs
• Functions and Responsibilities of the Dean/Head of MT:

  1. Administers general policies of the HEI

  2. Exercises educational leadership among MT faculty members
• All faculty members teaching licensure and non-licensure MT/MLS courses shall have academic preparation appropriate to their teaching assignment
• Full-time faculty members shall:

  • Have a regular teaching load (lecture or lab classes) with no more than 3 preparations
  • Have a full-time status in only 1 HEI
  • Be active members of good standing in PRC accredited professional organizations for MT and Association of Schools of Medical Technology
• Conditions of employment for faculty members:

  • Probationary period shall be in accordance with the Provision of the Labor Law code
  • Every college/university shall have a Faculty Manual with policies or information pertaining to faculty
  • Faculty members shall actively pursue continuing professional development
  • Faculty members shall actively involve in research activities
• At least 60% of every college/university faculty handling Professional courses shall be in full-time status
• Every college/university offering MT/MLS program shall have adequate library resources relevant to MT/MLS, sufficient in quantity to serve the needs of the students
• Lecture Classroom requirements:

  • Maximum of 1:40 faculty/student ratio
  • Classroom shall have an entrance and exit door (swing-out type)
• Laboratory requirements:

  • Maximum of 1:20 faculty/student ratio
  • Institution shall provide fully-equipped laboratory facilities for adequate instruction
  • Laboratory room shall have an entrance and exit door; minimum floor space of 1 sq.m. for every 1-2 students and a locker for every 1-5 students
  • Room shall be well-lighted and well-ventilated
• Laboratory requirements:

  • Each laboratory room shall have continuous adequate supply of water, gas, and electricity
  • Readily accessible safety and first aid devices: fire extinguishers, emergency showers, first aid kit/cabinet, safety posters, exhaust system and/or fume hoods, acid-resistant laboratory table tops, eye wash, sand box
• Laboratory requirements:

  • Chemistry (inorganic, organic, analytical, biochemistry)
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Clinical chemistry
  • Immunology and Serology
  • Blood banking/Immunohematology
  • Hematology
  • Microbiology (Bacteria, Mycology, Virology)
  • Clinical Microscopy; Parasitology
  • Histopathology; Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology and Diagnostics
• Institutions may combine laboratories such as:

  • Clinical chemistry, Hematology, Blood Banking, and Immuno Serology
  • Microbiology, Parasitology, Clinical Microscopy, and Histopathology
  • Simulated Clinical Laboratory is highly recommended
  • The institution shall provide appropriate and safe waste disposal system
• HEIs applying for a new program shall develop:

  • Complete set of program outcomes, including proposed additional program outcomes
  • Proposed curriculum and its justification including a curriculum map
  • Proposed performance indicators for each outcome and proposed measurement system for the level of attainment of each indicator
  • Proposed outcomes-based learning plan for each course
  • Proposed system of program assessment and evaluation
  • Proposed system of program Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
• For existing programs, CHED shall conduct regular monitoring and evaluation on the compliance of HEIs to the program specifications
• Private HEIs, SUCs, and LUCs with existing authorization to operate BSMT/BSMLS are given a period of 3 years from the effectivity thereof to fully comply with all the requirements of the CMO
• Non-compliance with the provisions of the CMO, after due process, shall cause the Commission to impose sanctions based on the 3-year consolidated MTLE institutional performance and outcome of monitoring visits
• Compliance is based on the performance of graduates in the MTLE and the outcome/result of the Joint CHED-PRC monitoring and evaluation in various areas
• This Order supersedes all previous issuances concerning MT/MLS education which may be inconsistent or contradictory with any of the provisions hereof