Diet Technician, Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank

This is a Temporary contract for up to twelve (12) months
This is more than a hospital-based nutrition role—it's a rare opportunity to be part of Ontario's only accredited human milk bank, one of just three in Canada recognized by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. As a Diet Technician in the Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank (RHOHMB), you'll play a vital role in in supporting the distribution of pasteurized donor human milk for hospitalized infants not just in Toronto, but across Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and PEI. Operating within a specialized food manufacturing facility inside the hospital, you'll apply rigorous food safety and quality assurance standards to support the production of life-saving nutrition to medically fragile newborns. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to combine science, precision, and purpose in a hospital setting, this role offers an impact you won't find anywhere else.

Is this you?
You are highly detail-oriented and thrive in situations where precision and organization matter. In this role, you'll work with numbers, labels, and specialized equipment, ensuring donor milk is accurately logged, processed, and distributed according to strict safety protocols. Using aseptic techniques, you will carefully handle donor human milk, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and quality control. Your ability to accurately weigh, pool, and bottle milk for pasteurization will play a direct role in ensuring medically fragile infants receive safe, life-sustaining nutrition.

Are you a problem solver who thrives under pressure while meeting deadlines? As a Diet Technician in the Milk Bank, you'll work collaboratively with your team, but you'll also need to complete tasks independently, using your critical thinking skills to troubleshoot any technical issues that arise. Whether addressing equipment malfunctions or adapting to unexpected challenges, your proactive approach and clear communication will help maintain smooth operations and ensure that donor milk is processed efficiently.

If you are eager to develop your technical skills in a cutting-edge environment, this role offers the opportunity to work with specialized equipment for pooling and bottling donor human milk. You will gain hands-on experience with specialized dispensing equipment, hermetically sealing bottles, and high-capacity pasteurization equipment while monitoring temperature with logging devices, enhancing your technical skill set in the field of human milk banking.

About The Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank
Located at our Mount Sinai Hospital campus, the Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank is the sole human milk bank in Ontario. We collect, process, and distribute pasteurized donor milk to medically fragile hospitalized infants across the province

With about 1,500 low birth weight babies born in Ontario annually, our mission is crucial. Around 70% of preterm babies in the province lack sufficient volume of their parent's milk, which is essential for vital nutrients and immune protection. Donor milk significantly improves health outcomes for preterm infants, reducing serious complications.

The Milk Bank is regularly involved in research projects. Our team's contributions frequently lead to authorship in presentations and publications.

In This Role You Will

• Liaise with the nurse lactation consultants and the production supervisor
• Answer the Milk Bank phone, retrieve voicemail messages and redirect/liaise with the appropriate personnel
• Document daily temperatures for all fridges, freezers, and dishwasher
• Disinfect and sanitize work surfaces and equipment according to established SOPs
• Efficiently manage shipments of donor human milk, including unpacking, sorting, and weighing. Prepare labels and document inventory in the Milk Bank software to ensure traceability
• Prepare the pasteurization room for milk pooling
• Accurately weigh, pool, and bottle milk for pasteurization
• Take samples of milk pre- and post- pasteurization
• Generate labels to identify each batch for pasteurization, as well as samples taken for further microbiological analysis
• Maintain daily inventory and ensure all supplies are adequately restocked
• Manage outgoing shipments by courier (e.g., shipping kits to donors, pasteurized donor human milk to recipient hospitals)
• Perform other duties consistent with the job classification as required

Job Requirements
Mandatory

• Food and Nutrition Degree/Diploma from a recognized university or community college Food Safety Training Certificate

Preferred

• 2 years of experience in Diet Technician role
• Recent Diet Technician experience in a health care environment
• Canadian Society of Nutrition Management membership an asset

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of safe food handling procedures
• Good communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to liaise with all health professionals and patient- families
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, excellent problem solving skills
• Proven leadership skills
• Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office ( Excel and Word)
• Demonstrated satisfactory work performance and attendance history

Note:
This role requires the ability to stand for long periods of time, including repetitive actions, bending, pushing, and lifting up to 20 lbs.

If this sounds like you and you feel ready to build your career within nutrition and dietetics, apply now and let us know why you'd be a great addition to our team.