Milk Lab Technician - Neonatal ICU (Shift: 1:30 PM - 11 PM)

OU Health•Oklahoma City, OK

About The Position

The Milk Lab Technician is responsible for handling, storing, mixing, and dispensing human milk, human milk fortifiers, and formula feedings for neonatal and pediatric patients. The role includes maintaining milk storage conditions, accurately tracking human milk received and dispensed, and managing milk storage supplies. The technician collaborates closely with nursing leadership, staff nurses, lactation consultants, prescribing physicians, and patients’ mothers. The technician educates staff on safe milk and formula handling, prepares feedings using aseptic technique, checks diet orders, maintains supplies and refrigeration equipment, and ensures products are stored, labeled, mixed, and distributed according to established policies and clinical directions. The position also requires maintaining a clean and secure lab environment and following safety procedures.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to apply critical thinking and follow aseptic techniques in the safe handling, preparation, and dispensing of human milk, fortifiers, and formulas.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to resolve concerns and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
Understanding of current research and best practices in human milk storage, handling, mixing, and distribution.
Commitment to patient safety in neonatal and pediatric nutrition.
Ability to establish and maintain a clean, safe, and optimal environment for milk preparation and feeding.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a clinical or medical environment.

Responsibilities

Educate staff on proper handling, storage, and preparation of human milk and formulas.
Prepare infant and pediatric feedings using aseptic technique and established policies.
Review and verify diet orders for accuracy and compliance with patient requirements.
Order, stock, and maintain supplies to meet patient and lab needs.
Monitor refrigeration equipment and ensure expired products are properly disposed of.
Store human milk, milk products, and formulas according to cleanliness, temperature, and time guidelines.
Label containers with patient identifiers, barcodes, date and time, prescribed feeding, and expiration information.
Mix human milk with fortifiers and formulas as directed by prescribing clinicians.
Maintain a clean lab environment through hand hygiene, equipment sanitation, and container cleanliness.
Restrict lab access to authorized personnel.
Ensure safe milk distribution using accurate barcoding and labeling systems.
Follow safety policies, use appropriate protective equipment, and promptly report unsafe conditions.
Consult supervisors when procedures or safety concerns are unclear.
Perform other duties as assigned.