Human Milk Technician

Job overview

We are seeking to appoint a Human Milk Technician to join our Neonatal team at The Children's Hospital.

We are seeking to appoint a proactive, motivated individual who enjoys working in a busy environment within our friendly team in Oxford. The post holder will provide an efficient and effective clinical administration service to the Human Milk Bank team, the Neonatal Milk Kitchen, the department, consultants, nurses and wider clinical team. They will also attend to patients, colleagues and referrers to the service, promptly and courteously at all times and be a worthy front-line representative of our high quality service.

Main duties of the job

As a member of the Human Milk Bank team provide a high level of support to the Human Milk Bank Manager and wider Neonatal Intensive care team.

Take responsibility for safely pasteurising donated breast milk and  preparing milk feeds daily for all babies across the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit & to ensure the safe storage and use of breastmilk across the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role’s workload is split between the Human Milk Bank and Neonatal Milk Kitchen the responsibilities for each are detailed below.

Job Summary

• Each morning inspect each freezers temperature readings to establish that temperature levels are within acceptable ranges and move milk from any faulty/broken down equipment into another freezer and report faults to HMB manager.
• Ensure all equipment is functional prior to the commencement of the pasteurisation process.
• Ensure preparation area is cleaned at appropriate intervals
• Wear protective clothing including cap, gown and gloves during processing cycles as stated in the HMB policy and food hygiene regulations.
• Pasteurise milk following NICE guideline CG93 (latest update) and local policy variations.
• Defrost, decant, and regularly mix milk during bottling procedures under hygienic conditions.
• Scan the milk bottles into the computer system at various steps throughout the pasteurisation process and during milk preparation.
• Collect three samples from each batch of milk bottled for microbiology testing and nutritional analysis and post pasteurisation as planned.
• Record data of pasteurisation, donor name, dates of milk expression, volume processed and batch number of each mother’s milk in the pasteurisation book as each individual batch is prepared.
• Prepare milk analysis equipment and record the values of each batch.
• Following the bottling and pasteurisation of milk ensure that all bottles are correctly labelled.
• Maintain accurate records of all pasteurised cycles following local HMB Standard Operational Procedure (SOP)
• Record and file all processing data at the end of each day in the appropriate files
• Stock up pasteurisation room in preparation for the next pasteurisation day.
• Stock rotate freezers as necessary to ensure oldest milk is used first.
• Ensure freezers are regularly defrosted and cleaned.
• Maintain health, safety and security and report any concerns.
• Communicate effectively with other departments within the Trust as required and alert staff immediately if replenishment stock is required.
• Assist the Human milk bank manager with any duties she may require you to undertake.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of resources.
• Help assist with enrolling new donors and answer any mum’s questions in the manager’s absence.
• Supports the safe transportation of milk from the milk bank to neonatal units in our network ensuring the cold chain is maintained throughout.
• Supports a quality controlled human milk bank by using Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) in all processes which is reviewed regularly and encompasses all aspects of the milk bank processes.
• Ensure the safe and verifiable storage and pasteurisation of human milk in accordance with nationally recognized guidelines including the validation, calibration, maintenance of all equipment and recording of this.
• Coordinate microbiological sampling of donor milk, ensure all results are recorded correctly and seek clarification where results are significantly out with suspected contamination or are unusual.
• Stock rotate milk that has passed screening and discard failed milk.
• Have clear processes for batch recall if required and review processes for

• To be responsible for carrying out the pasteurisation of donated milk in accordance with the latest update of NICE Guidelines and to local policy and procedure for pasteurisation.
• To take responsibility for maintaining accurate records of pasteurisation as per standing Human Milk Bank (HMB) procedures
• Liaise and communicate effectively with HMB Manager on all matters relating to the pasteurisation processes of Human Milk.
• Responsible for and maintaining inputting all pasteurisation details into the e-Delphyn tracking system.
• Maintain a full audit trail for the Human Milk Bank service and provide data as required.
• To ensure that the expressing/sterilising rooms are fully stocked with washing up liquid, bottles and cardboard trays.
• To be responsible for the cleanliness and tidiness of the expressing and sterilising rooms.
• To safely prepare milk feeds daily for all babies across the Newborn care Unit
• To ensure the safe storage and use of breastmilk across Newborn care.
• To be responsible for the cleanliness and tidiness of the milk kitchen.
• To safely calculate and prepare milk feeds daily.
• To ensure that breast milk is used and stored safely.
• To be able to use the e-delphyn system safely.
• To monitor and document the temperatures of all fridges and freezers that store milk across the newborn care unit.
• To maintain records of donor breastmilk usage
• To liaise with the dieticians when specialised formulas and additives are required.
• To liaise and support the feeding team regarding breast milk use.
• To monitor supply levels of maternal and donated breast milk.
• To liaise with the nursing team regarding milk supplies
• To monitor and rotate supplies of formula.
• Be responsible for ensuring adequate stock of milk related items.
• To clean and defrost all fridges and freezers used to store milk.
• To prepare milk for discharge.
• To make up colostrum packs for mothers.
• To ensure availability of expressing kits and replenishing stock. This would include kits, bottle brushes, leaflets and sterilising bags.
• To be responsible for the cleanliness and tidiness of the expressing and sterilising rooms.
• To ensure that the expressing/sterilising rooms are fully stocked with washing up liquid, bottles and cardboard trays.
• To always maintain patient confidentiality and act professionally