Milk Laboratory Technician

Advocate Health • Oak Lawn, IL

2d • $21 - $31 • Onsite

About The Position

The Milk Laboratory Technician is responsible for managing the receiving and labeling of mother's human milk and donor milk according to procedure. This role involves collecting and preparing milk/formula, performing patient identification, and scanning barcodes for human milk containers. The technician prepares individualized human milk feedings one patient at a time, ensuring safety. They prepare infant and pediatric formulas/human milk according to recipes and follow procedures for preparation, sterilization, labeling, cooling, storage, and delivery. This role requires advanced math skills for calculations of additives and fortifiers. The technician also reviews product inventory, communicates ordering needs, and uses clinical information systems to obtain patient feeding orders and print labels. They maintain the nutrition room, follow Hand Hygiene policy and aseptic technique, track patient and product usage, and dispose of unused/expired feedings. The technician adheres to Advocate system policy for PPE use, performs high-touch cleaning and audits, and labels clean and dirty equipment. They disassemble and clean infant feeding equipment, clean storage bins, and use correct techniques for measuring and operating prep room equipment. Maintaining knowledge and technical skills through in-services and meetings, participating in Neonatal ICU Performance Improvement initiatives, and communicating with various healthcare personnel regarding ordering processes, stock issues, and formula problems are also key responsibilities. The role emphasizes a high level of professionalism, problem-solving, and attention to detail to ensure accurate electronic health records, feeding preparation, and timely production schedules, while advocating for breastmilk management that prevents waste.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Analytical skills to resolve problems that require use of basic scientific, mathematical or technical principles required.
• 1 year experience working in medical field, pediatric population preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Infant Feeding Technician or Breastmilk/Infant Formula Technician Certificate completed from an approved program preferred.
• Dietetic Technician, Registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration preferred.
• Associate degree in an applied science with 6 to 12 months of clinical experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages receiving and labeling of mother's human milk and donor milk according to procedure.
• Performs patient identification and bar code scanning of all human milk containers using feeding management system when collecting and preparing milk/formula.
• Prepares individualized human milk feeding one patient at a time, always for safety.
• Prepares infant and pediatric formulas/human milk according to recipes and follows procedures for preparation, sterilization, labeling, cooling, storage, and delivery of formulas to patient units.
• Uses advanced math skills to provide detailed calculations for all additives and fortifiers placed in Human milk.
• Follows system policy for patient identification when handling, thawing, mixing, fortifying, and distributing Human Milk.
• Performs identification of human milk containers using human milk scanning and feeding management system.
• Labels all supplements and formulas individually prior to distribution, including all required information in accordance with system policy.
• Verifies orders for accuracy and obtains clarification as needed from registered dietitian or ordering provider.
• Reviews product inventory and communicates ordering needs for all neonatal formulas, donor breast milk, human milk fortifiers, and other related products.
• Uses clinical information systems to obtain patient feeding orders and to print labels and production lists; communicates with allied health care personnel regarding feeding orders.
• Stocks nutrition room with all needed supplies.
• Follows Hand Hygiene policy and aseptic technique for handling all feeding products.
• Tracks patient and product usage, providing feedback to manager as needed.
• Disposes unused/expired feedings according to established protocol.
• Follows Advocate system policy for use of PPE including gloves, gown, hair covering, and masks.
• Performs High touch cleaning as directed and performs audits for compliance.
• Labels all clean and dirty equipment after cleaning.
• Provides a safe environment for patients.
• Disassembles and cleans various infant feeding equipment as needed.
• Cleans storage bins after each patient use.
• Uses correct and accurate technique to measure powders and liquids and demonstrates proper use of all prep room equipment including a gram scale, milk warmers, and dishwashers.
• Maintains knowledge and technical skills by attendance at in-services, unit meetings.
• Participates in Neonatal ICU Performance Improvement initiatives as requested.
• Communicates MRM associate on ordering processes, stock issues, and reformulations.
• Communicates with Registered Dietitian, provider, RN, lactation consultant and manager regarding after-hours formula processes.
• Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, teammates and others.
• Communicates with dietitians, lactation consultants, nurses, unit managers and providers regarding problems with formula or human milk orders or storage.
• Demonstrates high level of professionalism and problem-solving abilities related to ensuring order in electronic health record is accurate, feeding is prepared accurately, supply is adequate, with attention to timeliness of production schedule and advocates for breastmilk management that prevents waste.

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards
• Competitive compensation
• Generous retirement offerings
• Programs that invest in your career development
• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED