Legal and Ethical Standards of Care in Behavioral Health
Hours: 2.00
This course is designed to help you distinguish between legal, ethical, and standard of care issues. It is designed to serve as a guide to help you understand the law and make ethical decisions in your work, as well as develop risk management and compliance strategies to help you avoid disciplinary actions and claims of malpractice. You will also learn about informed consent, confidentiality and privacy, professional boundaries, and use of technology, among other issues. Taking this course can help you prepare for and recognize legal and ethical concerns. However, you will also need to familiarize yourself with the specific laws, ethical codes, organizational policies, and standards of care that apply to your practice. Professional organizations and associations, state licensing boards, and attorneys familiar with behavioral health law can help you access information relevant to your work. Please note, the content in this course is designed to heighten clinicians’ general awareness of legal and ethical concerns. It is not offered as legal advice for any individual provider or specific situation.
This course is designed to help you distinguish between legal, ethical, and standard of care issues. It is designed to serve as a guide to help you understand the law and make ethical decisions in your work, as well as develop risk management and compliance strategies to help you avoid disciplinary actions and claims of malpractice. You will also learn about informed consent, confidentiality and privacy, professional boundaries, and use of technology, among other issues. Taking this course can help you prepare for and recognize legal and ethical concerns. However, you will also need to familiarize yourself with the specific laws, ethical codes, organizational policies, and standards of care that apply to your practice. Professional organizations and associations, state licensing boards, and attorneys familiar with behavioral health law can help you access information relevant to your work. Please note, the content in this course is designed to heighten clinicians’ general awareness of legal and ethical concerns. It is not offered as legal advice for any individual provider or specific situation.
American Psychological Association
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As a Jointly Accredited organization, Relias LLC is approved to offer co-sponsored psychology continuing education by the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA is an associate member of Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education.
California Board of Registered Nursing
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 13791
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Nurses will receive 2.00 Nursing Contact Hours after successfully completing this course.
Association of Social Work Boards
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Relias LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Relias LLC maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 2.00 Ethics continuing education credits.
Course Delivery Format: Asynchronous Distance Learning-interaction includes quizzes with questions and answers, post-tests. This module is Reading-Based.
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Relias LLC designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 2.00 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Florida Board of Nursing
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Psychology
Florida Board Of Psychology (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Psychologists will receive 2.00 hours.
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Medicine
Florida Board of Medicine (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Physicians will receive 2.00 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Florida Physician Assistants
Florida Physician Assistants (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
National Board for Certified Counselors
Relias, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.6110. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Relias , LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Division of Professional Licensing Services, Social Work Unit
Relias, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0009.
Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of licensed master social work and licensed clinical social work in New York. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice for an LMSW and LCSW. A licensee who practices beyond the authorized scope of practice could be charged with unprofessional conduct under the Education Law and Regents Rules.
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias Learning are considered “self-study” under section 74.10(c)(2)(ii)(b)(4) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
Social workers will receive 2.00 continuing education hours for participating in this course. This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Mental Health Counselors (MHC)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0011
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias, LLC are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. #MFT-0009
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South Carolina Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Ohio Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RTX050401 (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours
Ohio Professional Counselor Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RCX100502 (CEBroker Provider: 50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals
This course has been approved by Relias LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 2.00 CE. NAADAC Provider #86124, Relias, LLC is responsible for all
aspects of their programming.
Breining Institute for Registered Addiction Specialists
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals
Education hours MCBAP-R
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Missouri Credentialing Board
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board
Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.0000 contact hours.
Content Area: C9
California Association of DUI Treatment Programs
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 2.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Ohio State Medical Board
State Medical Board of Ohio (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 2.00 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 2.00 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 2.00 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Connecticut Certification Board
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Ohio Social Worker Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CEBroker Provider # 50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.0000 contact hours.
Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation
Illinois Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association
Categories Counselor II, Preventionist II, CARS II, CODP II, PCGC II, CCJP II, CAAP II, CRSS II, CPRS II, MAATP II, NCRS II, CFPP II, CVSS II
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
Provider approved by CCAPP, Provider number 1S-06-729-0220 for 2.00 CEH's
Explain laws, ethics, and standards of care as they pertain to behavioral health.
Identify legal and ethical standards related to client consent, relationships, and privacy.
Describe actions that can be taken to make sound ethical decisions and effectively mitigate the risk of ethics violations or malpractice complaints.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Ethics, Laws, and Standards of Care
What Do You Think?
What Are Standards of Care, Ethics, and Laws?
Standards of Care
Ethics
Laws
How Does This Impact You?
Let’s Practice: Jamal
Summary
Section 3: Consent
Informed Consent
Limits to Consent
Minors and Consent
Mental Capacity and Legal Competency
Mental Capacity and Informed Consent
Assessing Mental Capacity
Legal Competency and Informed Consent
Involuntary Treatment
Let’s Practice: Tomio
Summary
Section 4: Relationships and Boundaries
Therapeutic Relationships
Boundaries
Dual Relationships
Difference Between Boundary Violations and Boundary Crossings
Physical Touch
Sexual Misconduct
Terminating Services
Let’s Practice: Hiroki
Summary
Section 5: Privacy and Confidentiality
Client Privacy and Confidentiality
Technology and Information Security
Privacy Regulations
HIPAA Overview
Psychotherapy Notes Under HIPAA
HIPAA Enforcement
42 CFR Part 2 Overview
Exceptions to Confidentiality
Mandated Reporting Laws
Mandated Reporting Laws: Do Not Ignore Them!
Incapacity or Emergency
Duty to Warn or Protect
Court Orders
Review
Summary
Section 6: Violating Standards of Care
Common Misunderstandings
Disciplinary Actions
Malpractice
Bases for Disciplinary and Malpractice Actions
Compliance and Risk Management
Seeking Guidance
Let’s Practice
Summary
Section 7: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Congratulations!
Katy Kunst received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her Master of Business Administration from Elon University. She has 15 years of experience serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their supporters, including roles as direct support professional, program director, and training facilitator. She has created and facilitated training on topics including non-violent crisis interventions, person-centered planning, cultural competence, quality service delivery, regulatory compliance, and a variety of topics related to IDD services. Disclosure: Katy Kunst, MBA, QIDP has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.Instructor: Frederic G. Reamer PhD
Dr. Reamer is Professor in the graduate program of the School of Social Work, Rhode Island College, where he has been on the faculty since 1983. His research and teaching have addressed a wide range of human service issues, including mental health, health care, criminal justice, public welfare, and professional ethics. Dr. Reamer received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and has served as a social worker in correctional and mental health settings.
Dr. Reamer has been involved in several national research projects sponsored by The Hastings Center, the Carnegie Corporation, the Haas Foundation, and the Scattergood Program for the Applied Ethics of Behavioral Healthcare at the Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania. He has published 21 books and more than 150 journal articles and book chapters.
Dr. Reamer has lectured extensively nationally and internationally on professional ethics and professional malpractice and liability. Dr. Reamer chaired the national task force that wrote the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and served on the code revision task force. He chaired the international commission sponsored by the Association of Social Work Boards to develop Model Regulatory Standards for Technology and Social Work Practice. Dr. Reamer also chaired the national task force sponsored jointly by the National Association of Social Workers, Association of Social Work Boards, Council on Social Work Education, and Clinical Social Work Association to develop Technology Standards in Social Work Practice. He has served as an expert witness and consultant more than 100 court and licensing board cases addressing professional ethics.
Among many national awards, Dr. Reamer received the Excellence in Ethics Award from the National Association of Social Workers in 2015.
Disclosure: Frederic G. Reamer PhD has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
The target audience for this course is: Case Managers; Entry level Marriage and Family Therapists; Entry level Professional Counselors; Entry level Psychologists; Intermediate level Social Workers; Nurses; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
