Milk Handler

Responsibilities

Administration

• Ensure all stock is well controlled, managed and charged appropriately
• Answer all Milk Bank related enquiries received telephonically or by email
• Ensure accurate completion of documentation and records regarding donor extracted breast milk
• Maintain a well organised record keeping system as required by the SOPs
• Assist with ward administrative tasks as requested by the UM General
• Maintain cooperation and coordination with all departments and between the various hospitals served by the Milk Bank
• Screen, collect, select, sort and process donor human milk and prepare, pasteurize, distribute and track donor extracted breast milk
• Formalise storage and distribution of milk in a hygienic way in line with SOP requirements

Quality Patient Care

• Promote and maintain good public relations with patients and families
• Provide education and information to both prospective donors and mothers of recipients
• Provide assistance to pregnant women, postpartum women, infants and lactating women on breastfeeding practices
• Ensure continuous support to establish breastfeeding with recipient infant's mothers to avoid reliance on donor milk
• Counsel and re-assure mothers whose babies will receive donated human breast milk
• Maintain confidentiality of all donors and recipients at all times
• Perform other duties as reasonably requested by the Unit Manager or senior member of staff

Safety Awareness and Risk Management

• Contribute to effective risk prevention and management
• Maintain a therapeutic, clean and safe environment that is free from medico-legal hazards
• Adhere to Netcare medical waste management principles and all other waste management principles
• Report and act upon potential or actual risks identified
• Ensure adherence to quality assurance, health and safety standards and hygiene standards at all times including universal regular hand washing procedures
• Responsible for ensuring correct use, cleaning, storage and maintenance of equipment
• Ensure compliance to the Human Milk Bank regulations and legislation
• Maintain professional conduct and standards at all times in accordance with hospital policies and procedures

Building Stakeholder Relations

• Act as an Ambassador with the doctors and dieticians to gain their support to encourage human breast milk donations
• Build and maintain effective relationships with nursing staff and unit managers at milk bank collection posts
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with the other milk handlers and the National Milk Bank Coordinator

Staff Allocation and Training

• Complete all training related to Ncelisa Milk Bank as required
• Conduct training, mentoring and supervision of staff at milk bank collection posts
• Arrange optimal staff complement for the unit as requested by the UM

Requirements

Education

• Matric (essential)
• Care Worker Certificate (preferred)

Work Experience

• Basic Computer literacy (essential)

Working Conditions

• Will interact with internal and external customers through several different means
• Shift work, rotational ward allocation, weekend duties and emergency relief
• Willingness to work overtime when required