Infection Prevention Nurse – Nursing Home / Long-Term Care

Position Title: Infection Prevention Nurse (IPN)
Facility: Nursing Home / Long-Term Care
Reports To: Director of Nursing (DON) or Administrator

Position Summary

The Infection Prevention Nurse is responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) program within the nursing home. This role focuses on reducing infection risks among residents and staff, monitoring for outbreaks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and educating employees on best practices to maintain a safe, person-centered environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Infection Surveillance

• Conduct routine and targeted surveillance of infections in residents.

• Track, analyze, and report infection data and trends.

• Identify clusters/outbreaks and implement containment strategies.

• Maintain infection logs, antibiotic usage tracking, and facility immunization records.

2. Infection Prevention & Control Practices

• Develop and update IPC policies and procedures specific to long-term care.

• Monitor adherence to hand hygiene, PPE use, isolation precautions, and environmental cleaning.

• Ensure proper handling of linen, laundry, and medical waste.

• Oversee cleaning and disinfection of shared equipment and resident-care items.

3. Outbreak Management

• Lead investigations and management of outbreaks (e.g., influenza, COVID-19, norovirus, MDROs).

• Coordinate testing, isolation, cohorting, and visitation restrictions as needed.

• Communicate with local and state public health agencies.

4. Staff Training & Education

• Provide onboarding and ongoing training on infection prevention standards.

• Educate staff on hand hygiene, PPE, respiratory etiquette, vaccine-preventable diseases, and exposure management.

• Conduct annual competency assessments and emergency preparedness drills.

5. Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with CMS, CDC, OSHA, and state regulations for long-term care facilities.

• Prepare for annual state surveys and respond to citations related to infection control.

• Maintain required reports such as the NHSN (National Healthcare Safety Network) submissions, if applicable.

6. Resident & Family Education

• Educate residents and families on infection prevention (e.g., vaccinations, respiratory etiquette).

• Provide guidance for safe visitation practices during outbreaks.

7. Collaboration & Quality Improvement

• Work closely with the Medical Director, DON, Administrator, and interdisciplinary team.

• Participate in Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives.

• Evaluate IPC strategies and develop improvement plans.

Qualifications

Education

• Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) as state regulations permit.

• RN preferred.

Experience

• Long-term care or geriatric nursing experience required.

• Experience in infection control preferred.

Certifications

• Infection Preventionist training as required by CMS for nursing homes (e.g., CDC LTC IP training).

• CIC (Certification in Infection Control) preferred, not required.

• BLS certification recommended.