Milk Lab Tech Pt 20%

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values and strategic directions of Kingston Health Sciences (KHSC) and organizational and departmental policies, procedures, and standards, the milk lab technician is committed to provide safe, high quality care in breast milk and infant formula management for the pediatric and NICU environments. Under the supervision of the Professional Practice Leader for Clinical Nutrition, the milk lab technician will receive, aseptically prepare, store, and distribute human expressed breast milk (EBM), donor breast milk (DBM), and infant formula for the NICU and Pediatrics units. Also, they will be responsible to support formula decanting for the well newborn program to support the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI). The Milk Lab Tech will be expected to collaborate regularly with the registered dietitians assigned to NICU and Pediatrics as well as other regulated health professionals to receive and confirm infant and pediatric nutrition orders.

**PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES**
- Collect EBM from fridges in NICU nurseries or pass thru fridge. Confirm dates and times with bedside RN or parent. Receive DBM upon delivery.
- Scan EBM and DBM and store appropriately in the fridge or freezer.
- Rotate all EBM and DBM in freezer in FIFO (First In, First Out Method). Remove any expired product and dispose in an appropriate manner and inform parent.
- Collect daily feeding orders for each patient.
- Review orders and clarify or verify calculations for accuracy with prescriber. Calculate volume and number of feeds required for 24 hr period.
- Print accurate labels for each day's feedings
- Prepare EBM, DBM and infant formulas following aseptic technique and established Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Involves following hand hygiene, PPE procedures, sanitizing work surfaces and supplies/equipment, and precise measurements for each order.
- Accurately use preparation equipment including laminar airflow hood, gram scale, graduated cylinders, beakers, spatulas, stir rods/whisks, weigh tray/dish, and funnels, refridgerators, freezers, dishwasher etc.
- Store prepared EBM, DBM, and infant formulas appropriately until ready to deliver to units.
- Efficiently deliver all prepared EBM, DBM, and infant formula to NICU or Pediatrics Units and store in fridge at bedside or in medication room.
- Package all fresh or frozen EBM and deliver to NICU for discharged patients.
- Complete daily census sheets for numbers of formula and breast milk feeds prepared
- Monitors equipment function and maintains data for audits, including but not limited to temperature logs of refrigerator and freezers according to established standards. Escalates to PPL for direction when values are out of acceptable range and takes corrective action as directed. Reports equipment malfunction to maintenance and the PPL immediately.
- Cleans and sanitizes work area daily according to established procedures to ensure that aseptic conditions are maintained, including the preparation space and equipment required for the labelling, handling, preparation and storage of DM/EBM and infant formula. Performs additional cleaning tasks as per schedule and following SOPs to maintain an aseptic environment.
- Clean and sanitize all work surfaces in the milk preparation room before and after each recipe preparation as per the SOP
- Communicates with clinical staff regarding inventory management, such as alerting nursing staff of EBM shortages and requesting alternative orders if EBM supply is not available.
- Organizes stock and maintains inventory areas according to established SOP.
- Establishes, reviews and revises minimum expected levels of stock (par levels); rotates stock and monitors shelf-life of inventory. Reports product and delivery problems to PPL.
- Determines weekly formula and supply requirements; communicates orders to Nutrition Services or KHSC Stores as applicable and receives supplies. Identifies potential supply shortfalls and communicates these to the PPL.
- Notifies PPL when off formulary product ordered.
- Maintains inventory of DBM and communicates orders appropriately.
- Review orders.
- Scan EBM and DBM upon receiving.
- Print patient labels.
- Label and scan all prepared orders.
- Enter new orders under babies profile.
- Participate in quality assurance or improvement activities Attend relevant departmental or program meetings
- Collect performance indicator data as required.
- Assist in training of dietetic interns and dietetic technician students
- Maintain/develop a knowledge level which supports competent practice in assigned patient care area(s) through participating in self-development activities, mentorship, and relevant education resources
- Complete workload measurement statistics and time sheets
- Complete KHSC Learning Management System corporate training courses as assigned
- Adhere to worker responsibilities as set out in the Occupational Health & Safety Act, hospital safety policies, and dept/unit