There are many challenges facing Infection Preventionists (IPs) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Residents within LTCFs require either short-term rehabilitative support after surgery, injury, or illness, or long-term physical, cognitive, or social support not available to them in the general community. Infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies must fit within a holistic model of care because residents may live in an LTCF for years, yet the care must be provided within a person-centered, least-restrictive environment. Until recently, training and support for the LTCF IP role has been inadequate or non-existent, leaving staff to focus on meeting regulatory compliance rather than implementing evidence-based practices. In the United States, LTCFs are certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and regulated by both state and Federal agencies, while assisted living (AL) facilities are licensed by state agencies in the U.S. Ref 62-1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). FastStats. Residential Care Communities. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/residential-ca... - You do not have permission to view this object.  Only a minority of skilled care facilities that are accredited. New CMS regulations require LTCFs, certified by CMS, to have at least one part-time IP with specialized training physically on-site. This chapter provides the basic framework, as well as the basic roles and responsibilities of the IP for an infection prevention and control program (IPCP) in long-term care settings. The IP role is essential to developing and maintaining an effective, evidence-based IPCP. The main goal of both the IP and the IPCP is to reduce infection risk by protecting residents, staff, and visitors from exposure to disease-causing pathogens.