An intensivist is a board-certified physician who provides special care for critically ill patients. Also known as a critical care physician, the intensivist has advanced training and experience in treating this complex type of patient.
After medical school, an intensivist completes a residency and board certification in a specialty such as surgery, internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, or pediatrics, plus an additional two- to three-year fellowship and certification in critical care medicine.
Some of the procedures that intensivists perform include intubations, centerline placements, arterial line placements, thoracentesis, lumbar punctures, and bronchoscopies, among other procedures.