CE Home Study
Ethical/Legal Training Manual for Non-Clinical Employees in Virginia Mental Health Settings
A Staff Training Manual with a Reference Appendix for Employer/Provider
(Virginia Edition)
Mary Alice Fisher, Ph.D. (2006)
(This sample manual is designed to meet the ethical/legal portion of staff training requirements as found in Ethics Codes, Virginia statutes and regulations, and federal HIPAA Regulations. Included is a CD containing a copy of the manual in three formats – WORD, Word Perfect, and WORKS – so you can easily “personalize” it for your own setting.)
NOTE: This manual is based on the outline published in the following article, available in HTML on this website: Fisher, M.A. (2009). Ethics-Based Training for Non-Clinical Staff in Mental Health Settings. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 40 (#5), 459-466.
Table of Contents
I. Office Environment
A. Establishing & Maintaining Appropriate Atmosphere
B. Responding to Difficult Patient Situations
C. Responding to Patients’ Questions
II. Patient Privacy & Confidentiality
A. Understanding the Ethical & Legal Requirements
1. Ethical Rules About Confidentiality & Consent for Disclosure
2. Legal Rules About Confidentiality & Consent for Disclosure
3. Consequences of Unauthorized Disclosures
B. Following Our Policies About Privacy & Confidentiality
1. Protecting Patient’s Right to Privacy While In Our Office
2. Protecting Patient’s Right to Confidentiality (Non-Disclosure)
a. Rule: Disclose Information Only With Patient Consent
b. Rule: Handle/Store/Dispose of Patient Information Carefully
c. Protocol: Responding to Requests for Patient Information
d. Protocol: Telephone
e. Protocol: Photocopier
f. Protocol: E-Mail
g. Protocol: FAX
3. Signing the Employee Confidentiality Contract
III. Billing Patients and/or Third Parties for Reimbursement
A. Ethical & Legal Requirements/Limitations
1. Providing Accurate Information; Avoiding Insurance Fraud
2. Monitoring Electronic Transmissions of Claims
3. Honoring Limitations in Provider Contracts
B. Policies re: Electronic Transmission of Claims & Treatment Plans
IV. Other Policies/Procedures With Ethical/Legal Implications
A. Maintaining Boundaries & Avoiding Dual Relationships With Patients
B. Operating Within Specified Job Description
C. Monitoring Privacy, Confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance
APPENDIX
Ethical Standards
Legal Requirements
Virginia Statutes, Regulations, & Cases (Listing)
Federal HIPAA Regulations (Summary)
Sample Forms & Contracts
Documentation of Employee Training
Employee Confidentiality Contract
Sample Employee Test
Cost of Manual Only: $30.00, includes sales tax, postage, and handling
Cost of Manual + CD of text in three formats – WORD, Word Perfect, and WORKS – so you can easily “personalize” it for your own setting.): $40.00, includes sales tax, postage, and handling
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Home Study Test for Ethical/Legal Training Manual
4 CE Credits — (30 test items)
Cost of test: $54.00, includes sales tax, postage, and handling
