Getting Started    
Starting your postdoctoral life is exciting, and City of Hope wants you to make the most of the experience. Here’s what you need to know about the hiring process, orientation, salary, and important policies and procedures of the Postdoctoral Studies Office.

Joining City of Hope   
Prior to arriving at City of Hope, there are steps required to make your transition into employment quicker and easier.

Before your first date of employment at City of Hope, please schedule an appointment with the Human Resources Department to complete the following. (To schedule an appointment, call 800-535-7119, ext. 60104, or e-mail sstokes@coh.org prior to your arrival at City of Hope.)

A. Pre-employment Documents and Processing Appointment:  
     a. For your appointment, bring the following documents:
          1. Completed City of Hope application 
          2. Completed Disclosure and Authorization to Obtain Information form (see    attachment) 
          3. Work eligibility documents (see “List of Acceptable Documents” (HYPERLINK) )
          4. Social Security card (for further information go to www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html)
          5. Résumé/CV
          6. Any license/certificate/diploma/degree required for your position 
              (Please bring  the  original documents and we will make copies.) 

B.  An appointment for a health physical
Health Requirements:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — the workplace safety agency 
of the U.S. Department of Labor — has several mandates that must be met before starting work 
in a health care facility.
    
These include:

• Documentation of two (2) measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccinations, or documentation of titers for rubella and rubeola.
• Evidence of previously having varicella (chickenpox), or a titer for varicella or Varivax.
• If your job requires working with human blood or tissue, a history of receiving the hepatitis B vaccine (series of three (3) injections), or a positive titer showing immunization or a signed declination is required. Also, documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) test in the last 12 months is required.  (If you have not had a TB test within the last 12 months, or have not provided documentation, employee health services will need to administer a two-part TB test.  (For further information, please see attached “Immunization Requirements for new employees” list.)

Note: If you can have these tests done before you arrive, you will be able to start work  sooner. If you are  unsure of your status with regard to any of these items, take the “Employee Health Services” list to your  doctor. If there is any confusion, your human resources appointment will include an appointment with employee heath services, where your health status and records will be addressed.

C. Attend the required safety orientation (see attachment) (HYPERLINK) 
We prefer all new hires start on an orientation day.  Plan your travel accordingly with consideration to arrive three to four days prior to your start date. We do realize that sometimes it is not always possible to start on the orientation day so we allow exceptions. Contact Laurett Rivera if you need an exception.

We hope the above information will make your transition into employment at City of Hope a positive experience.  For questions or concerns on the information provided, contact Laurett Rivera, postdoctoral studies program manager at 800-732-7150, ext. 68204, or larivera@coh.org.

Performance Review
As in many employment situations, postdoctoral fellows at City of Hope will receive evaluations in the form of periodic performance reviews.

The postdoctoral performance review process is designed to:

• Encourage constructive dialogue between research fellows and their mentors
• Clarify responsibilities and performance expectations
• Record information about performance and accomplishments
• Promote more effective performance
• Establish future goals for career growth and development

The specific goals of the review process are to:

• Provide research fellows with feedback on their performance and accomplishments during the previous year/review period
• Assist research fellows in understanding their responsibilities
• Assist research fellows in understanding the mentor’s performance expectations
• Identify goals for the upcoming year and specific plans to help research fellows meet those goals

To view the complete Performance Review form, click here. (HYPERLINK TO “Research Fellow Appraisal Form”)

Postdoctoral Orientation
The Postdoctoral Studies Office holds an orientation for all incoming postdocs in order to familiarize them with procedural requirements and the professional and academic environment at City of Hope. For more information, please contact Laurett Rivera, postdoctoral studies program manager at 800-732-7150, ext. 68204, or larivera@coh.org.

Salary
For more information, please contact Laurett Rivera, postdoctoral studies program manager at 800-732-7150, ext. 68204, or larivera@coh.org.

Handbook
The Postdoctoral Studies Office has prepared a handbook specifically for our international postdocs, which offers helpful information on visas, Social Security cards, taxes, banking and other necessities of life in the United States. The handbook will be useful as you make the transition to working at City of Hope and living in the area.