Description
Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in substance use disorder treatment and an essential component of client-centered care. Obtaining informed consent involves more than securing a signature. It requires a process that supports client understanding, autonomy, and meaningful participation in treatment decisions.
This training examines the ethical, legal, and practical foundations of informed consent, including key confidentiality considerations and the principles of transparency, understanding, and voluntariness. Through practice scenarios and knowledge checks, participants will identify common barriers to informed consent and explore communication strategies that promote client comprehension, engagement, and informed decision-making throughout the consent process.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the (4) key principles and (3) legal requirements that guide informed consent for specialty SUD services.
- Apply two (2) client-centered communication strategies that support a client’s understanding to make informed consent decisions regarding specialty SUD services.
- Evaluate three (3) case examples of obtaining informed consent for specialty SUD services to determine whether ethical, legal, and communication standards are met.
Attachments Available for Download
Attachments will become available after enrollment.
Informed Consent Slide Deck
Intended Audience
This training is appropriate for the following disciplines within the SAPC Provider Network:
- Registered and Certified Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselors
- LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs & Licensed Eligible (LE) AMFTs, ACSWs, APCCs
- Licensed Psychologists and Registered Psychological Associates
- Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists & Peer Support Specialists
- Registered Nurses
- Nurse Practitioners
- Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Licensed Psychiatric Technicians
Instructor
Graciela Guardado, BSN, RN
Hours/CEs
1.0 hour. 1.0 CE hour.
Format
This online course uses a mixed-media format with PowerPoint slides, voice-overs, and closed captions. This training was recorded in May 2026.
Process
Participants will read and/or listen to the material presented in the slides. At the end of the training, participants must obtain at least 80% as a passing score for the completion of this training and receive CE credits. CE certificate or certificate of attendance will be available for printing upon completion.
Prerequisites
None
CE Approval
This course meets the qualifications for one (1.0) hour of continuing education credit/contact hours (CEs/CEHs). Los Angeles County (LAC)-Department of Public Health (DPH) Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) is an approved provider of continuing education for CMPSS (CalMHSA, #1014); CAODCs, SUDRCs, SUDCCs (CADTP, #181); RADTs I/II, CADCs-CASs, CADCs I/II, CADCs-CSs and LAADCs (CCAPP, #4-19-316-0227); and, CATCs I/II/III/IV/V/N/i/R (CAADE CEU Provider #: CP40 989 AHC 0725).
Los Angeles County-Department of Public Health (LAC-DPH) Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts continuing education credit granted by the California Psychological Association or by any of its Approved Providers. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 18086, for 1 contact hour. LAC-DPH SAPC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Disclosure
County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control does not receive commercial support for the content of these trainings.
Questions and Concerns
If you have any questions related to the training content and continued education, please email SAPC.CST@PH.LACOUNTY.GOV.
If you experience any technical issues, please email INFO@SAPC-LNC.ORG.
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