Patient Rights and Informed Consent
The rights of people receiving behavioral health services: dignity and privacy, informed consent and informed refusal, participation in treatment planning, accessible communication, grievances, and how to document consent and rights notices.
Online, self-paced · about 30 minutes · graded exam and certificate
Who should take it
All staff who interact with clients. Clinicians have added responsibilities for obtaining and documenting informed consent.
National course on common client-rights principles. State mental health codes and licensing rules (including client bills of rights, consent for minors, and involuntary treatment) vary and aren't covered in detail. Follow your organization's rights notice and policies.
What employees will learn
- ✓Describe core rights of people receiving behavioral health services.
- ✓Explain the elements of informed consent and informed refusal.
- ✓Support clients' participation in treatment planning.
- ✓Provide communication access for people with limited English proficiency or disabilities.
- ✓Respond to complaints and route grievances correctly.
- ✓Document rights notices and consent appropriately.
Topics covered
- •Patient rights
- •Informed consent
- •Informed refusal
- •Right to participate in treatment
- •Privacy and dignity
- •Grievance processes
- •Communication accessibility
- •Documentation
Sources this course is based on
- CMS conditions of participation for community mental health centers: client rights (42 CFR 485.910) · eCFR
- Section 1557: policies and procedures, including grievance procedures (45 CFR 92.8) · eCFR
- Section 1557: meaningful access for individuals with limited English proficiency (45 CFR 92.201) · eCFR
- HIPAA right of access (45 CFR 164.524) · eCFR
- SAMHSA resources on recovery and person-centered care · SAMHSA
This course is not accredited for continuing education credit and is not approved by a government agency. Training supports, but does not guarantee, your organization's compliance. Course content explains federal rules and accepted practice; state requirements may differ.