The critical care team includes a diverse group of highly trained professionals who provide care in specialized care units and work toward the best outcome possible for seriously ill patients. Members of the team include:

Intensivists 
Physicians who are board certified in a medical specialty, such as surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, or anesthesiology, and who also receive special education, training and subspecialty certification specifically in critical care. Intensivists are assigned to the ICU on a full-time basis and work with other critical care team members to provide their patients with ongoing and consistent care. These physicians know how specific treatments affect all the organ systems, avoid duplication of procedures and medications, and honor the patient's preferences regarding medical treatment. Intensivists also coordinate the administrative environment of the ICU by setting policies, developing protocols and facilitating communication among primary care physicians, specialists, patients and their families.

Critical care nurses 
Registered nurses who receive highly specialized education and are often certified in critical care nursing as "CCRNs." Critical care nurses provide a high level of skilled nursing for continuous and total patient care. Their expertise and continuous presence allow critical care nurses to recognize subtle, but significant, changes in patient conditions, thereby preventing worsening conditions and minimizing complications that arise from critical illness. Because of their close contact with the family and the patient, CCRNs often serve as the patient's advocate and become integral to the decision-making process of the patient, family, and critical care team.

Critical care pharmacists/pharmacologists 
Physicians or doctors of pharmacy who use their extensive knowledge to carefully monitor a patient's medications.

Respiratory therapists 
Respiratory therapists work with the critical care team to monitor and adjust ventilators and other respiratory support as needed.

Other professionals
These may include physical/occupational therapists, technicians, social workers, dieticians, and members of the clergy.