11000 Belgrade, Serbia
3. LEVELS AND LENGTH OF STUDY Prior to
Laboratory Technician Certificate
Prior to 1975, Laboratory Technicians were trained in a 5-year on-the-job training program offered at the Department of Pathology of the Ministry of Health; at the end of the third year, there was an Intermediate examination; at the end of the 5th , there was a final examination.
1975-1990
1) Laboratory Technician Certificate
In 1975 a new program was initiated at the Department of Pathology in the Ministry of Health. Candidates to become Laboratory Technicians were now given on-the-job training and required to serve a 2-year probationary period, during which time they were required to pass a departmental examination. At the end of an additional 3 years, candidates sat for a Departmental Qualifying Examination. University graduates with a Pass degree were also eligible to become Assistant Medical Laboratory Assistants in a particular discipline, qualifying after a 2-year program, culminating in the Departmental Qualifying Examination (DQE). The last examinations for this educational pattern were given in 1990. 2) Diploma in Biotechnology with Medical Technology option;
In 1986 the Department of Chemical Process and Biotechnology Technology (CPT) of Singapore Polytechnic jointly with the Ministry of Health, Singapore initiated a 3-year Diploma course in Chemical Process Technology with Medical Technology as a final year option. In 1989 the Ngee Ann Polytechnic initiated a similar program (Candidates who did not have either Biology or Chemistry from their ‘O’ Levels, had to attend an 8-week course in these respective subjects before beginning the academic year. They were also required to undergo 8 weeks of a vocational training program at the end of their 2nd year.) A 5-year part-time Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology was also made available.
1990-present
1) Diploma in Biotechnology with Medical Technology option; As above
Advanced Diploma in Medical technology was introduced in 1994.
4. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
1) Laboratory Technician Certificate (discontinued in 1990)
Prior to 1975, admission to the Laboratory Technician program required a Senior Cambridge Certificate with a credit in science. After 1975, admission required the G.C.E. “O” or “A” level certificate.
2) Diploma in Biotechnology with Medical Technology
Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore- requires G.C.E. “O” level with relevant science subjects in Biology, Chemistry Science (Chemistry/Botany), Science (Physics/Biology) Science (Physics/Chemistry)/Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).
3) Diploma in Biotechnology with Medical Technology option
Singapore Polytechnic- requires G.C.E. “O” level with credits in Mathematics, a science subject, and English. 4) Advanced Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology
Admission to the Advanced Diploma program requires the Diploma in Medical Technology or equivalents
5. SCOPE OF THE FIELD
The diploma level program at Singapore Polytechnic covers Animal Cell Biology, Biological Laboratory Techniques, Chemistry of the Life Sciences, Analytical Biochemistry 1 & II, Animal Tissue Culture, Molecular Genetics, Hybridoma Techniques, Introductory Recombinant DNA, Project, Topics in Biotechnology, and Scale-up processes in Biotechnology. The Medical Laboratory portion is polyvalent covering Blood Banking, Hematology, Immunology, Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, and Histotechnology
There are 4 professional levels for Medical Technology personnel:
1) Chief Laboratory Technician- Duties include supervision of all technical personnel, administrative duties and training. Confirmed Senior Laboratory Technicians are eligible for consideration for promotion to this grade.
2) Senior Laboratory Technician- Duties consist of supervision of technical personnel and laboratory attendants immediately under the Senior Laboratory Technician.; administrative duties; performing standard or special tests; assisting in teaching laboratory staff preparation of periodic reports of activities and maintenance of inventory stocks; participation in research as assigned. Confirmed Laboratory Technicians are eligible for consideration for promotion to this grade.
3. Laboratory Technician- Duties consist of performance of routine and some special laboratory procedures; assisting in the training and supervision of Assistant Laboratory Technicians; performance of night duty in routine 24-hour service laboratories. Confirmed Assistant Laboratory Technicians who have passed the Departmental Qualifying Examinations are eligible for promotion to this grade. Candidates for direct appointment must possess:
a) a recognized university degree; or
b) a recognized qualification in Medical Laboratory Science
4. Assistant Laboratory Technician- Duties consist of accurate repetition of well-established laboratory procedures; carrying out detailed instruction; operation and reading of recording instruments, accurate calculation of results, reporting of data; performance of necessary clinical work; performance of night duty; care of lab. equipment. Candidates for direct appointment to this position must possess:
a) three G.C.E. “O” level passes including science subjects; or
b) the School Certificate or equivalent preferably with science subjects; or c) Higher School Certificate or equivalent preferably with science subjects.
6. CURRICULUM
Diploma in Biotechnology (Medical Technology Option) Singapore Polytechnic, 1997 3-year full-time program
(The course curriculum for this program consists of 6 modules )
Stage 1A
Hours per Week
Subject Lecture Theory Practical Total 15 wk credits
Applied Electronics 2 - 1 45
Biosystems & Biomolecules 3 1 2 90
Analytical & Physical Chemistry 2 1 2 75
Productivity & Quality* 1⁄2 1 1⁄2 30
Effective Writing Skills* - 2 - 30
Mathematics A 3 1 - 60
Computer Studies (Biology)* 2 2 2 90
-Sub-total 12 1⁄2 8 7 1⁄2 420
Stage 1B
Inorganic & Organic Chemistry 3 1 2 90
Basic Microbiology 2 1 2 75
Cell Biology 2 1 2 75
Anatomy & Physiology I 2 1⁄2 1 1⁄2 60 Report Writing & Presentation* - 2 - 30
Mathematics B 3 1 - 60
Character Education* - 2 - 30
Sub-total 12 8 1⁄2 7 1⁄2 420
Stage 2A (Medical Tech. Option)
Molecular Genetics 2 1 2 75
Applied Microbiology 2 1 2 75
Biochemical Techniques* 2 1 2 75
Clinical Chemistry 1 2 1 1 60
Basic Immunology* 2 2 1 75
Basic Instrumental Analysis 2 1 1 60
Industrial Training Program (8 wks) - - - -
Sub-total 12 7 9 420
Stage 2B (Medical Tech. Option)
Metabolic Chemistry 3 2 1 90
Molecular Biology 2 1 2 75
Basic Pathology 3 1 - 60
Hematology I 2 1 1 60
Anatomy & Physiology II 2 1 1 60
Environmental Studies A* 3 1 1 75
Industrial Training Program (8 wks) - - - -
Stage 3A (Medical Tech. Option) Project ** - - 4 60 Blood Banking 2 1 2 75 Histological Techniques 3 1 2 90 Hematology II 2 1 2 75 Medical Microbiology A 3 1 2 90
Effective Interpersonal Communication* 2 - 30
Sub-total 10 6 12 420
Stage 3B (Medical Tech. Option)
Project * ** - - 4 60
Quality Control & Lab Mgmt.* 2 1 - 45
Applied Immunology 2 1 - 75
Good Lab. & Manufacturing Practice 2 1 1 60
Clinical Chemistry II 2 1 2 75
Medical Microbiology B 2 1 2 75
Communications Skills for Work - 2 - 30 Sub-total 10 7 9 420
*In-course assessment module; ** Module covered in 2 semesters
Advanced Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology Singapore Polytechnic, 1997
Year 1 Stage 1A
Hours per Week
Subject Lecture Tutorial Lab. Total 15 wk credits
Human Health & Disease 30 15 0 45
Hematology 22 8 15 45
Regulation of Metabolism 22 8 15 45
Stage 1 B
Mammalian Physiology 22 8 15 45
Immunology & Disease 22 8 15 45
Molecular Cell Biology 22 8 15 45
Sub-total 140 55 75 270
Year 2 Stage 2A
Hours per Week
Subject Lecture Tutorial Lab. Total 15 wk credits
Molecular Genetics 22 8 15 45
Data Handling & Interpretation 22 8 15 45
Clinical Chemistry 22 8 15 45 Project * - - 30 30 Stage 1 B Medical Microbiology 22 8 15 45 Hybridoma Technology 22 8 15 45 Transfusion Science 22 8 15 45 Project* - - 30 30 Sub-total 132 48 150 330 Total 272 103 225 600
7. LIST OF PROGRAMS
Singapore Polytechnic 500 Dover Road Singapore 0513 Ngee Ann Polytechnic 535 Clement’s Road Singapore 2159
8. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
The Singapore Association for Medical Laboratory Sciences (SAMLS) % Housemen’s Quarters
Singapore General Hospital 2 College Road
Singapore 516985
ASEAN Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists (AAMLT)
[ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) comprises Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, with some new countries, including Myanmar (previously Burma) and Vietnam recently added. The address of the Association changes constantly as the secretariat rotates between associations.]
9. EQUIVALENCY/RECIPROCITY
For professional reciprocity, see reciprocity section in each relevant country entry in the various editions of the International Directories of Medical Laboratory Science Education.
For further information please contact:
Singapore Association of Medical Laboratory Science c/o Alumni Association (SB, Medical Center)
2 College Rd. Singapore 516985 Fax: 252 0064
or Vice President,
The Singapore Association for Medical Laboratory Sciences (SAMLS) c/o Housemen’s Quarters
Singapore General Hospital 2 College Road Singapore 516985
Tel: 657724114 Fax: 657794753