Know of any talented health-care professionals looking for a new challenge? If they join City of Hope, it could be worth a wallet-friendly bonus of $1,000 or more. City of Hope’s Department of Human Resources recently expanded its Talent Discovery Program to include more job categories and easier program access. The program rewards City of Hope staff members for referring professionals who are then hired at the institution.

“We’re looking to attract top-quality talent to fill key positions in a variety of departments and contribute to the mission of City of Hope,” said Dean Calvano, recruiter in human resources.

It may seem surprising during a national economic slowdown that employers must offer recruiting incentives. Human resources experts, however, said that employers almost always need high-quality employees in certain fields, and experienced professionals often resist moving to new opportunities during times of economic uncertainty.

City of Hope requires employees with specific expertise, said recruiter Emi Kamiya. “It can be difficult to find people with oncology experience of the quality we need at City of Hope,” she said.

That is why the Department of Human Resources offers bonuses for employees who refer candidates in these categories: clinical pharmacist, physical therapist, physical therapy assistant, occupational therapist, operating room technician, registered nurse and experienced oncology registered nurse.

In addition, the program recently expanded to include information technology professionals with health-care experience.

The amount of the bonus varies by position. If the referred job candidate gets hired, the referring employee receives half of the bonus after the new hire’s first 90 days; the second half of the bonus is paid after the new hire completes a year at City of Hope.

Job applicants must write the name of their referring employee on the front of the application (or enter it into the online form).

To learn about the program or find out more about the specific information technology positions eligible for the bonus, call 800-732-7150. Program rules also are available at www.cohreferrals.com.