Chief Medical Technologist and

Senior Medical Technologist

Commonalities and Distinctions

 CHIEF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST (CMT)
This is an administrative, supervisory and a highly technical position.
Employees of this class supervise other medical technologists and
technicians in the performance of different procedures. The chief tech is
responsible in overseeing the overall quality management of the
laboratory. Other medical technologists and technicians may also refer to
the chief technologist whenever there is a need of technical knowledge
and recommendation regarding a difficult case, atypical results, rare
anomalies and the like. Performance of advanced laboratory procedures
and complex assays that requires expertise and years of experience is also
a role of the chief technologist. As an administrative position, the chief
technologist initiates departmental discussions about the problems at
work, welfare of the employees and their grievances.
 CMT – NATURE OF WORK

 Administrative
 Supervisory
 Technical
 CMT - EDUCATION
 Pursuing graduate studies/program
 Continuing professional education
 Master’s Degree / Doctorate degree:
 in the chosen specialization area of interest
 relevant to the nature of work
 management related
 CMT - EXPERIENCE

 8 to 10 years of experience in the field of medical

laboratory science
 Experience involving management and supervising a
clinical laboratory
 CMT - TRAINING
 Supervisory / Administrative:
 Manpower management
 Leadership
 Total Quality Management (Lean Six-Sigma, Root cause analysis etc.)
 ISO certifications and JCI, etc.
 Administrative procedures

 Technical:
 Training in Microbiology, Hematology, Microscopy, Serology, Blood banking and
Immunohematology, Molecular Biology, Phlebotomy, Histopathology
 Biorisk Management, Safety
 Quality Control
 Biostatistics
 Research
CMT - IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR / REPORTS TO:

 PATHOLOGIST
 HEAD OF THE DIVISION
 DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPITAL
 CMT – DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 Overall supervision of the department
 Supervises and participates in the performance of laboratory tests
 Procurement of new laboratory equipment and orders supply
 Provision of technical knowledge and opinions in updating methodologies, test menus and
further laboratory expansion
 Participates in the validation of new methodologies, lab tests and machines
 Arranges schedules of medical technologists, laboratory technicians and administrative staff
 Requests manpower to the administration for the department
 Attends to departmental and institutional meetings
 Participates in training and continuing professional education of the employees
 Evaluates the performance of laboratory staff
 Participates in the manpower development of the institute
 Performs other administrative tasks
 Performs other relevant tasks
 
SENIOR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST
(SMT)
This is a supervisory and a technical position. Senior medical
technologists supervise group of medical technologists and technicians
in their respective laboratory section. There is a minimal to moderate
percentage of administrative and managerial work assigned to this
class of employees. Performance of advanced laboratory procedures
and complex assays that requires expertise and years of experience is
also a role of a senior medical technologist. Assists in the revision of
methodologies, incorporation of laboratory tests and updating of the
standard operating procedures. Senior MTs are highly skilled
individuals with considerable knowledge in the laboratory section that
they supervise.
SMT – NATURE OF WORK

 Supervisory
 Technical
SMT - EDUCATION

 Desirable to pursue or have a Master’s degree or graduate

studies
SMT - EXPERIENCE

 MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS
 SMT - TRAINING
Supervisory / Administrative:
 Manpower management
 Leadership Training
 
Technical:
 Training in Microbiology, Hematology, Microscopy, Serology, Blood
banking and Immunohematology, Molecular Biology, Phlebotomy,
Histopathology,
 Biorisk Management, Safety
 Biostatistics
 Quality Control
 Research
SMT – IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR / REPORTS TO:

 Chief Medical Technologist

 SMT – DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 Overall supervision of the laboratory section
 Supervises and participates in the performance of laboratory tests
 Provision of technical knowledge and opinions in updating methodologies, test menus
and further laboratory expansion
 Participates in the validation of new methodologies, lab tests and machines
 Attends to departmental and institutional meetings
 Participates in training and continuing professional education of the employees
 Evaluates the performance of laboratory staff in their section
 Participates in the manpower development of the institute
 Submits reports to the chief medical technologist
 Performs other relevant tasks assigned by the chief medical technologist
 
 CMT AND SMT
ABILITIES, SKILLS AND QUALITIES
 Extensive knowledge of the principles, methodologies and  Leadership skills
techniques in medical laboratory science
 Good interpersonal skills
 Considerable knowledge in biology, chemistry,
mathematics and research
 Good managerial skills

 Skills and knowledge in the use of different laboratory

 Goal-oriented
equipment  Career-driven
 Substantial knowledge about routine and complex  Detail-oriented
laboratory tests performed in the laboratory
 Social perceptiveness
 Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
 Skills in negotiation
 Familiarity with the laboratory information system
 Service-oriented
 Customer care related skills
 Diligent
 Skilled to the different laboratory sections
 Empathy and compassion
 Critical and analytical thinker
 Ability to supervise subordinate medical technologists
 Clerical abilities
 Has the ability to multitask
CMT vs. SMT
CHIEF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST SENIOR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST

 Administrative function and tasks  Minimal administrative function and tasks

 Arrangement of the staff schedule  Evaluates the performance of laboratory
 Ordering of supplies staff in the respective section
 Requisition of additional manpower to the  May provide recommendations and
administration suggestions regarding laboratory machines,
 Evaluates the performance of laboratory methodologies and other concerns
staff  Recommendations regarding procurement
 Approval and authorization of procurement  40 hours a week, 8 hours a day – AM or PM
documents shifts
 Resolution of disputes
 Handles and coordinates in the resolution  
of problems of employees
 Handles and coordinates in the resolution
of customer-related problems
 Higher wage
 40 hours a week, 8 hours a day – Office
Hours
 COMMONALITIES
 CMT and SMTs are Licensed Medical Technologist  Involve in staff performance evaluation
 Graduates of Bachelor’s degree in Medical  Attendance in departmental and institutional
Technology / Medical Laboratory Science / Public meetings – laboratory equipment procurement,
Health employee benefits, grievances, issues, resolutions of
problems and patient-related concerns
 Same training ground
 Both are involved in manpower development and
 Reports to the head of the laboratory, head of the
training
division and director of the institution
 Same vision and mission for the direction and
 Performance of advanced and complex laboratory
betterment of the institution
tests
 Common skills, abilities and attributes
 Well-versed to the different sections of the
laboratory  They both have areas of expertise or specialization
 Both are technical positions based on the nature of  Years of experience in the service
their work  Tenured
 Management and supervision of subordinate
medical technologists and staff
Thank you very
much!
 References:
Group 2’s presentation
https://asq.org/quality-resources/root-cause-analysis
https://www.iso.org/home.html
https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/accreditation/accreditation-programs/laboratory/
https://asq.org/quality-resources/six-sigma

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