HomeSUKIMATvol. 2 no. 1 (2016)

An assessment of the career-entry level competencies of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology Graduates of a University in Baguio City

Janice Kaylyn K. Lonogan

 

Abstract:

Medical technologists in the clinical laboratory face tasks that vary for years due to changes in the work place environment. The curriculum has to be designed to prepare the graduates to demonstrate identified core proficiencies expected of them in the workplace. The study measured the level of the graduates’ demonstration of identified core competencies listed from a benchmarking study for global preparations. The descriptive study used a structured questionnaire to gather responses from 50 clinical supervisors and 97 BSMT/BMLS fourth year interns during the school year 2015-2016. Results showed that the BSMT/BMLS interns have very high attainment of the objectives of medical technology education and internship program. Conversely, they have a high attainment of the career entry-level competencies expected of the graduates as stipulated in the CMO 14 series of 2006. Meanwhile, the interns have a very high demonstration of the core competencies derived from a benchmarking list for global preparations. The categories identified for the graduate to have high demonstration are professional responsibility, professional laboratory skills and safe work practices, communication, teamwork and interactive skills, instrumentation and computer skills; leadership, management, teaching and training responsibilities. On the other hand, further improvement and retooling in critical thinking, problem- solving and decision-making were identified. Based on the results of the study, the researcher proposed the inclusion of course offerings needed to help overcome the students’ deficiencies in the new BSMT/BMLS curriculum. The new program of study takes effect in line with the implementation of the new PSGMTE in response to the K to 12 programs.