The Human Milk Specialist (HMS) performs procedures under the supervision of the Nursing Director, dietician and staff nurses. HMS provides support to the milk room in the form of identification, preparation, storage and dispensing of breast milk for enteral feedings. The HMS organizes supplies necessary to complete tasks in the milk room. Although supervised, the HMS proceeds alone on routine tasks asking for clarification when needed.

Provides Support to the Milk Room and Nurseries in the SCN(Special Care Nursery).

• Follows verification and labeling procedure of expressed breast milk (EBM) or formula, and Logs and stores EBM or formula per protocol
• Reviews and verifies patient's nutrition orders for accuracy and changes with Dietician and /or bedside nurse. The HMS participates in planning, development and evaluation of educational materials, for mixing and storage of EBM.
• The HMS accurately measures and labels additives for the EBM or formula.
• Delivers measured additives and EBM or formula verifying accuracy with the bedside nurse.
• Keeps Current Procedure manual for EBM mixing
• Prepares EBM and delivers to other areas within MGH

Prepares and checks equipment/supplies and utilized resources and materials in a safe and efficient manner:

• Follows infection control guidelines for sanitizing equipment and cleaning the preparation room.
• Checks equipment and clean equipment, washes counters, carts, measuring utensils. Ensure equipment and work area is sanitized and maintained.
• Inventories food and non-food supplies. Completes and prints computerized requisition. Checks to be sure all items have been received. Stores items received. Rotates stock to use oldest items first.
• Discards outdated products found in refrigerator /freezer.

Reports any irregularity to Resource Nurse immediately:

• Per department protocol, organizes and updates MILK Lab inventory which includes the following: checks supply expiration dates, reports supply issues to Nursing Director.

Communicates and collaborates with other members of the health care team:

• Independently organizes work flow. Sets priorities based on unit specific needs.
• Treats, records, personal items and correspondence following patient privacy policy.
• Orients and trains new employees.
• Performs other duties as needed.