Milk Lab Technician
Title: Milk Lab Technician
Department: Clinical Nutrition Services
Position Number: 50069821
Hours of Work: Casual Position; Day Shifts
Pay Band: $33.23- $36.49
Union: OPSEU4106 Non-Central
Location: Kingston General Hospital Site
DESCRIPTION:
All KHSC supply of expressed human breast milk (EBM), donor human breast milk (DBM) and Infant and Paediatric formula are prepared aseptically, safely, and efficiently in a centralized milk laboratory to limit bacterial growth, minimize errors and maintain nutritional properties following the highest standard of safety and quality. In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values and strategic directions of Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) and corporate and departmental policies, procedures, and standards, the milk lab technician is committed to providing safe, high-quality care in human milk and formula management. Under the direction of the Professional Practice Leader for Clinical Nutrition and in collaboration with the Women’s and Children’s Program and Infection Prevention, the milk lab technician will procure, prepare, distribute and store EBM, DBM, and formula for the neonatal, pediatric and well-baby areas within the Women’s and Children’s Program. During performance of their duties, Milk Lab Tech will be expected to regularly and respectfully collaborate with regulated health care professionals throughout the Women’s and Children Program.
PRINCIPLE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
EBM, DBM, and Infant Formula Management
- Collaborate with KHSC Material Management and Nutrition Services departments as well as the Roger Hixon Milk Bank to procure, track, and store all EBM, DBM, specialized powdered adult, infant and Paediatric formulas and infant feeding accessories.
- Notifies PPL when off-formulary product required.
- Use the KHSC barcoding software system to label and track all lot numbers for DBM, formula and other additives used in infant feeding preparations in the event of a recall.
- Use the KHSC barcoding software system to label and track identification and expiry of all EBM, DBM and prepared feeds.
- Collect EBM from the neonatal, pediatric, and well-baby unit refrigerators. Confirm dates and times with bedside RN or parent/caregiver.
- Organizes stock and maintains inventory areas according to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Including rotate all EBM and DBM in freezer in FIFO (First In, First Out Method), remove any expired product, secure or dispose in an appropriate manner and inform parent/caregiver.
- Collaborate with Registered Dietitians (RDs), Physicians, and Registered Nurses (RNs) to ensure infant and paediatric feeding orders and preparations are accurate and complete.
- Review the orders and complete the relevant calculations to prepare feeds for a 24-hour period
- Prepare feeds in ready-to-administer units and label and store appropriately in patient-specific labeled bins in the Milk Lab fridge.
- Follow principles of aseptic technique and established SOP. Includes: strict hand hygiene compliance; use of personal protective equipment (PPE); thawing EBM or DBM; sanitizing work surfaces, supplies, and equipment; precise measurements and preparation technique
- Accurate and safe use of laboratory equipment.
- Works with relevant software systems such as the Electronic Health Record (EHR), Breastmilk and Formula Tracking systems, and SAP to:
- Review orders in EHR
- Receive EBM, DBM, and formula into inventory
- Order formula and supplies
- Print patient labels
- Label and scan all prepared orders
- Enter new orders under patient profile
- Print relevant reports
- Safely deliver and store all prepared feeds, to the appropriate unit, at 1600h daily.
- Report and store all expired and recalled products in a separate, well identified area of the Milk Lab or Materials Management until disposal or return to manufacturer.
- Discharge and safely package all fresh or frozen EBM for discharged patients.
Care and Maintenance of Facilities and Equipment
- Monitors equipment functionality and maintain data for audits, including but not limited to cleaning, maintenance and temperature logs of refrigerators. freezers, dishwasher and BSC 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, vendors and/or the PPL immediately.
- Cleans and sanitizes work areas according to established SOPs to ensure that aseptic conditions are maintained.
- Clean and sanitize all work surfaces in the milk preparation room before and after each recipe preparation as per the SOP
- Establish, review and revise minimum expected levels of stock (par levels) based on usage
Departmental Responsibilities
- Report any human milk, formula, and infant feeding procurement, preparation, distribution, and storage incidents are reported as per hospital and departmental policy.
- Participate in quality assurance or improvement activities
- Attend relevant departmental or program meetings
- Collect performance indicator data as required.
- Assist in training new staff and 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
Organizational Responsibilities
- Complete weekly time sheets
- Complete KHSC Learning Management System corporate training as assigned
- Adhere to worker responsibilities as set out in the Occupational Health & Safety Act, hospital safety policies, and dept/unit established procedures at all time
- Take corrective action to address a hazard where possible, otherwise reports the unresolved hazard, dangerous circumstance, unsafe situation to PPL or delegate, co-workers or the community
- Advise PPL if they incur a workplace injury or illness; actively participate in identifying and resolving the underlying cause(s) and participates in early and safe return to work as per Workplace Safety & Insurance Act.
- Understands and is familiar with all pertinent KHSC policies and procedures including those relating to workplace conduct. Complies with the KHSC Commitment to uphold the Workplace Conduct and Reporting of Inappropriate Conduct policy and behaves in a manner that is consistent with the guiding principles and expectations
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Pharmacy Technician diploma or Medical Laboratory Technician diploma or Canadian accredited undergraduate University program in food and nutrition or diet technician diploma or equivalent diploma program (accredited by the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM))
- Three (3) years recent experience in an acute care clinical or nutrition setting preferred.
- Have excellent communication and time management skills
- Strong mathematical skills (a skills test will be administered)
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a team-based environment
- Able to cope with stressful situations in patient care areas
- Demonstrated proficiencies with computer applications
- Have demonstrated knowledge of nutritional products and accessories used in human milk and formula preparation.
- Proficiency in using laboratory equipment
- Proven ability to organize work effectively, and in a routine and efficient manner.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, ability to deal with conflict and communicate appropriately with families and staff.
- Demonstrated compliance with hospital infection prevention and control practices
- Demonstrated working knowledge of sterile techniques including working within a biosafety cabinet is preferred
- Proven ability to attend work regularly.
- Satisfactory criminal reference check and vulnerable sector search required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The incumbent will be required to meet the physical demands as described for the area of work.
KHSC is located on the ancestral lands and waters of the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee and serves a wider geographical area that encompasses many Indigenous communities including Tyendinaga, Katarokwi, as well as communities within the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority. As we partner in care, discovery, and learning to achieve better health outcomes for our communities, KHSC is committed to actively advocating for and acting upon the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action on Health.
Unless specifically stated, all job postings are for existing positions at KHSC. KHSC is committed to recruitment practices that support and contribute to building a respectful, diverse and inclusive workplace in compliance with legislation such as the Employment Standards Act and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. We welcome all applications from women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, persons in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and members of other equity deserving groups.
Kingston Health Sciences Centre may use artificial intelligence systems to assess and screen applicants. All hiring decisions are made in accordance with KHSC policies and applicable employment legislation.
We thank all applicants, but only those selected for next steps will be contacted. Kingston Health Sciences Centre is committed to inclusive and accessible employment practices. If you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process, please notify the Recruitment Team.
