Skip to main content

A Place Where Patients, Providers and Employees Can Feel at Home

The Critical Care Tower increases the overall hospital capacity for patients and provides the opportunity for health professionals to build careers at the medical facility of the future. Every inch of the 684,000-square-foot structure has been meticulously designed to improve the UNM Hospital experience for patients, providers and employees.

Nurse in blue scrubs

As the region’s only Level 1 trauma center, safety net hospital and academic research institution, no one provides the level of care and service that patients and families receive at UNM Hospital (UNMH).

New Mexicans from across the state come to UNMH every day to access the services that only we provide, especially in trauma and critical care. The demand for these unique services continues to grow every year. That’s why we embarked on the largest public construction project in New Mexico history to date—the Critical Care Tower (CCT).

Exterior photo of the UNM New Hospital Tower

Since its announcement in 2019, the CCT has been on the minds of everyone involved with New Mexico health, from professionals to patients. By bringing nine state-of-the-art hospital levels of care and a new parking structure to UNMH, we strengthen our mission of providing high-quality health care for New Mexico residents now and in the future.

The CCT increases the overall hospital capacity for patients and provides the opportunity for health professionals to build careers at the medical facility of the future. Every inch of the 684,000-square-foot structure has been meticulously designed to improve the UNM Hospital experience for patients, providers and employees.

Three people wearing black scrubs
  • New adult emergency department.
  • 18 modern operating suites with integration of interventional platform (catheterization lab and interventional radiology) with 73 perioperative bays.
  • 96 new ICU beds.
  • A new parking structure with 1,400 spaces.
  • Sky Campus for staff and providers, with learner, wellness and education spaces.
  • Chapel, Café, spacious common areas and an abundance of natural light to supplement healing.
  • Much, much more!

I’m excited about all the advanced technology that will be available to patients in the new tower. We’ll be able to perform even more efficient and outstanding care.

Karlie, Interventional
Radiology Technologist

As part of the IT Project Management Team working on the expansion of our current hospital, I am excited because the tower is giving our community a safe place to receive trauma and emergency care, which is really needed since UNMH is the only Level 1 Trauma Hospital in New Mexico.

Lydia,
Project Consultant

As a patient advocate, the expansion of UNM Hospital will allow more healthcare to be delivered to the community, which will enable patient advocacy to make sure that patients' voices are heard. Access to more healthcare resources can be nothing but universally beneficial.

Georgina,
Patient Advocate

Imagine Yourself Here

UNM Hospital’s Critical Care Tower is comprised of nine levels, each with their own purpose. Scroll through this slideshow for a glimpse.

Emergency Department waiting area

LOWER LEVEL

  • Adult Emergency Department
  • Staff Team Rooms
  • Collaborative Workstations
  • Emergency Management

< Artist Rendering >

Photo of the main lobby

LEVEL 1

  • Main Lobby
  • Admissions
  • Gift Shop
  • Imaging Suite
  • Native American Health Services

< Artist Rendering >

Picture of the nurse station

LEVEL 2

  • Sterile Processing
  • Laboratory
  • Café
  • Meditation Room
  • Chapel
  • Pharmacy
  • Staff Break Areas

< Artist Rendering >

Photo of Main Hospital Lab

LEVEL 3

  • 4 Catheterization Labs
  • 6 Interventional Radiology Suites
  • 18 Operating Rooms
  • 73 Pre/Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs)

< Artist Rendering >

Photo of the hospital's breakroom

LEVEL 4

  • Sky Campus
  • Training Rooms
  • Conference Rooms
  • Staff Break Areas
  • On-Call Rooms
  • Staff Locker Rooms

< Artist Rendering >

Patient bedroom with medical devices

LEVELS
5 & 6

  • Adult Intensive Care Units (96 Beds)
  • Staff Respite Rooms
  • Collaborative Workstations

< Artist Rendering >

Patient bedroom with medical devices

LEVELS
7 & 8

  • Universal hospital beds (96)
  • Open date TBA

< Artist Rendering >

Helicopter on the roof of the tower

LEVEL 9:
ROOF

  • Helipad
  • Mechanical

< Artist Rendering >

More Opportunities

Two people showing a healthy meal

The Critical Care Tower is open now, consider applying for a new position at our new facility now. We are currently looking to fill a variety of roles in the following departments:

  • Nursing
  • ICU
  • Emergency
  • Trauma
  • Surgical Services
  • Perioperative
  • Radiology
  • Environmental Services
  • Food Services
  • Rehabilitation Services
  • Information Technology
  • Administrative
  • Security
  • Transportation
  • And more!

Learn more about available roles and become part of the future of health care in New Mexico.

VIEW JOBS

Yesterday’s Dreams Become Tomorrow’s Reality

Here is a brief timeline of how our vision for building the hospital of the future in New Mexico has progressed over the years.

stethoscope icon

1952

The Federal Contract between UNMH, Indian Health Services and Bernalillo County is established to provide high-quality, compassionate care for both Native Americans and Bernalillo County residents in New Mexico.

small hospital icon

1954

The Bernalillo County Indian Hospital (BC-I) opens.

stock market graph icon

1968

BC-I becomes the Bernalillo County Medical Center (BCMC).

large hospital icon

1979

BCMC becomes The University of New Mexico Hospital and commences the start of UNMH as an academic medical center.

compass icon

2017

The pre-planning process of the tower begins.

traffic icon

2020

In August, roadwork begins to reroute traffic to maintain hospital access during construction.

car icon

2021

January: Construction of new parking structure begins.

construction crane icon

2021

Fall: Construction of Critical Care Tower begins.

parking garage icon

2022

Parking structure opens to the public in June.

hospital with helipad icon

2025

Spring: Estimated Completion of Construction

Visit our live feed here.

UNM Hospital Tower (Albuquerque, NM)

OxBlue Construction Cameras

Sign up for Job Alerts

Stay connected and receive the latest news, events and career opportunities at UNM Hospital.

Interested InSelect your career area(s) of interest from the list of options. Click "Add", then submit below.

Building under construction

Stay Up to Date

For more information on what is happening at UNM Hospital, take a look at the HSC Newsroom which features regular articles about the organization.

Learn more links to HSC Newsroom page (Opens in new window)