'It was always our intention to be international,' said Mrs Fan, as indicated by the hospital's original name, the Sha Tin International Medical Centre Union Hospital.

Among the new vacancies, 34 are for registered nurses, nine registered midwives and 10 enrolled nurses. Another 48 are for ward assistants, and nine for technicians and the dispensary.

Around 40 openings are for general staff, from administration to cleaners. Apart from competitive packages, the hospital offers opportunities for career advancement.

'Because of our ongoing expansion, we put a lot of effort into staff development,' said Mrs Fan. 'As we open new facilities and services, we prefer to promote from within, so we encourage staff to study for higher qualifications.'

Clinical assistants, for example, are encouraged to study to become enrolled nurses, then moving on to registered nurses.

The hospital sees its culture of commitment to quality and personalised patient care as an attraction for top medical talent.

'We stress to all staff, even the cleaners, that they are all part of our mission. This process is their process,' she said. 'We make sure that efforts by all to constantly improve our service are recognised and appreciated. We create career paths from even the lowest grades.'

In such a working environment, underpinned by a defined quality management system, 'creative and pro-active' recruits are most highly sought after, added Mrs Fan.

Opened in 1994 in Tai Wai, on the outskirts of Sha Tin, the private healthcare facility in the New Territories has already nearly doubled its workforce from 600 to over a thousand in just 21/2 years. Such is the boom in private health care that it expanded by four additional floors in late 2006, increasing the number of beds from 200 to 300. These included luxurious private rooms, with their own private jacuzzi bathrooms, Wi-fi internet and flat-screen TVs.

The number of operating theatres has grown from four to seven. Five years ago, about 300 visiting surgeons and doctors referred patients for admission or operations, there are more than 450 now.

Renowned for its state-of-the-art technology, patient-centric care and premium facilities, more than 6,000 women gave birth there last year. Its range of other health care services is expanding fast, with the introduction of various innovative medical services and breakthrough technologies.

Its minimally invasive centre is equipped with Hong Kong's most advanced technology for 'keyhole' surgery.

Another milestone weeks ago, was the opening of a dedicated centre providing world-class treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The hospital has pioneered the introduction of new technology for hair implantation, in such demand that a new clinic is being planned extending the service to Guangzhou.

The Union was the first private hospital to open a 24-hour emergency medicine centre two months ago.

So-called 'polyclinics' at Ma On Shan, Tseung Kwan O, Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsuen Wan are meanwhile part of Union Hospital's outreach efforts, functioning as satellite clinics for general and specialist consultation, investigation, treatment and referrals for hospitalisation.

Collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in the opening of professorial clinics, including training facilities for medical students and postgraduate doctors, has further enhanced the hospital's reputation.

Bulletin

Union Hospital, the fastest-growing private hospital in Hong Kong, is on a recruitment drive

150 vacancies for registered nurses, enrolled nurses, midwives, ward aides, laboratory technicians, dispensary specialists and general staff

Boom in private health care and rapid expansion of state-of-the-art medical treatments creating openings

Competitive packages and exciting opportunities for career advancement in tandem with expansion

Culture of commitment to quality and personalised patient care also attractive