ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Members
Medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians, duly registered by the Professional Regulation Commission-Board of Medical Technology, are qualified to become members of the Association.
Section 2. Classification of Membership
There shall be three (3) major categories of individual personal membership, which can be given voting privileges following compliance to prescribed requirements – Regular, Diplomate, and Fellow.
There shall be two (2) other categories – Associate and Honorary, with no voting privileges.
a. Regular – membership conferred to a Registered Medical Technologist (RMT).
a.1 Category A- regular membership conferred to a Registered Medical Technologist within a period of 2 years, has paid the required membership dues and has no voting rights.
a.2 Category B- regular membership automatically conferred to a Registered Medical Technologist after 2 years of active membership, has paid the required membership dues and has earned the required 20 CPE units per year. They have voting rights.
b. Diplomate – an upgraded membership, conferred by the Board of Directors through a Board Resolution, to a Regular Member of at least 7 years, with master’s degree or equivalent, along the practice of medical technology in clinical laboratory, academe, or other specialization related to health; has earned the required 20 CPE units for the year prior to application; certified to be a member of good standing and in compliance to other prescribed requirements.
c. Fellow – an upgraded membership, conferred by the Board of Directors through a Board Resolution, to a Diplomate Member of at least 4 years with doctorate degree or equivalent, along the practice of medical technology in clinical laboratory, academe, or other specialization related to health; has earned the required 20 CPE units for the year prior to application; certified to be a member of good standing; and in compliance to other prescribed requirements. Those who have been accorded the Fellow status before 1992 shall remain as Fellows of the Association.
d. Associate – membership conferred to a Registered Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT); has paid the required membership dues; and has earned the required 20 CPE units per year.
e. Honorary – lifetime membership conferred by the Board of Directors as a distinct honor for service rendered for the improvement of the medical technology profession. It is not subject to the usual membership dues and entitlement of membership benefits.
Section 3. Place of Membership
A Medical Technologist shall seek membership in the chapter nearest his/her residence or place of work. A Medical Technologist shall be a member of only one chapter. Members from the National Capital Region shall directly seek membership from the National Association. All members are deemed members of the National Association and not of local chapters only.
Section 4. Dues
Every member shall pay membership dues annually except for Honorary Membership. The dues shall cover the fiscal year and shall be paid not later than September 30 of each year to be in good standing.
Section 5 . Inactive Membership
Membership to the association is said to be inactive:
a. If the appropriate membership dues have not been paid for a period of two (2) consecutive years;
b. As a disciplinary measure after due process.
With inactive membership, entitlement to benefits is suspended.
Section 6. Re-instatement to Active Membership
Inactive Membership may be reverted to active membership after payment of all appropriate dues and penalties and after having served the prescribed disciplinary measure.
Section 7. Upgrading of Membership
Members who are qualified to upgrade for Diplomate and Fellow categories shall apply to the Committee on Membership and satisfy all prescribed requirements.
Section 8. Rights, Duties and Obligations, and Benefits of Members
Every member has the following –
Rights
a. Vote and be elected for office following prescribed qualifications and requirements;
b. Be appointed to committee(s) and other special tasks for the Association;
c. Be heard on matters pertinent to the Association;
d. Be appraised on financial and other operational matters pertinent to the Association;
e. Be entitled to due process for any complaint or case brought against the Member;
Duties & Obligations
f. To regularly comply with all requirements pertinent to membership including annual membership fee;
g. To regularly and actively participate in the affairs of the Association;
h. To regularly attend activities and functions of the Association;
i. To give recommendations/suggestions that will benefit the Association, its members and the profession.
Benefits
j. Access to continuing professional education and/or professional development program of the Association;
k. Access to information regarding medical technology and/or health care, both local, Asian and international; and
l. Seek protection or assistance on matters affecting the Member in the practice of the profession.
Section 9. Local Chapters
Local chapters may be established to help the National Association reach out to its member and help expand and consolidate its membership.
a. A local chapter is an aggrupation of at least 25 regular members in a territory approved by the National Board of Directors, depending upon the geographical and other factors in the area. The approval shall be documented through a Board Resolution.
b. The Board of Directors of each Chapter, elected by the membership of the chapter, shall be composed of nine to fifteen (9-15) members depending on the number of its membership, and who shall elect their officers from among themselves.
c. The Election shall be made every two (2) years between October 1 and November 15, in the National Election year. Term of office is two (2) years.
d. Chapter By-Laws shall adopt the By-Laws of the National Association but shall have autonomy in the distribution of the Board of Directors and Officers .
e. Prior to Chapter Accreditation, there shall be Chapter Recognition by the National Board of Directors for a minimum period of one (1) year.
f. Chapter Accreditation shall be based upon compliance to criteria set by the National Committees on Chapters and Membership.
g. Delisting from the Roster of Accredited Chapters may be done for non compliance or non performance by the Chapter for a period of four (4) years, according to criteria set by the National Committees on Chapters and Membership.
h. A delisted Chapter may be restored to the Roster of Accredited Chapters following compliance to the prescribed procedures.
