ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - UNM is getting ready to open the doors on its new critical care center. That includes a big push to get the new hospital tower staffed up.
"So we're making someone a job offer, we're potentially changing their life. We're giving them an opportunity that maybe they didn't have," said Robby Toledano, director of talent acquisition for UNM hospital.
Toledano latest project could change many lives. He's staffing up the new critical care tower at the hospital.
The center has been in the works for years. It was the largest public construction project in our state's history.
"It's almost a hospital in itself for the size that it is," said Toledano.
The nine-story tower houses 96 ICU beds and will be sort of a one-stop shop for urgent care needs.
A lot of people are needed to make sure important services are available to New Mexicans.
According to UNM, more than 1,000 new employees have been hired so far, but they're still looking for more people.
"We're really focusing on nurses, RNs, LPNs, radiology technician, stenographers and of course a lot of support to that, which means facilities, mechanical folks as well as security patient care technicians," Toledano said.
For the first time in UNM history, that effort is stretching outside of our state.
"Meaning, we've actually sent a team outside of New Mexico, which was the first time we've done that," said Toledano.
The new critical care tower is set to open Oct. 5. Hiring is expected to continue even after the opening.
"As we expand that provides jobs and that gets people working and that helps support families and helps families support other initiatives, whether it's going to school, helping the children go to school, giving them a stepping stone to another, you know, opening a business or the resources they need to grow," said Toledano.