Competency Category:
Competency Series:

1.3 – Obtain Informed Consent

Purpose & Context

Career Development Professionals (CDPs) provide clients (or a legally authorized representative) comprehensive information that will allow them to make informed decisions on the services to be provided.  Prior to engaging with any services, CDPs must provide a written statement of consent and review it with the client and answer all questions. Where needed, CDPs arrange for an interpreter or translation of documents to ensure the client understands the information being shared. When ready, clients sign the agreement.

Effective Performance

Competent career development professionals must be able to:

  • P1. Prepare statement of consent:
    • Describe nature of all services;
    • List credentials and experience;
    • Outline billing arrangements, as applicable;
    • Define rights to confidentiality;
    • Describe limits of confidentiality;
    • Explain right to refuse any service;
  • P2. Arrange for service of interpreter or translation of document, as required;
  • P3. Give copy of statement of consent to client:
    • Read each statement;
    • Explain risks, benefits, and other essential information;
    • Explain rights and responsibilities, e.g. confidentiality and its limitations;
    • Confirm understanding of information;
    • Answer all questions;
  • P4. Obtain signed copy of consent document;
  • P5. Offer copy of the signed document to client/representative;
  • P6. Advise client of options and referral, e.g. if they refuse to sign agreement;
  • P7. Update statement of consent, as required;

Knowledge & Understanding

Competent career development professionals must know and understand:

  • K1. Code of Ethics;
  • K2. Policy and procedures surrounding the attainment of informed consent;
  • K3. Legislative requirements on the use of personal information, e.g. Personal information and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA);
  • K4. Limitations of confidentiality;

Contextual Variables

Competent career development professionals must be able to perform this competency in the following range of contexts:

None

Glossary & Key References

Terms

Industry-specific terms contained in the standard defined here, where applicable.

Informed consent: client’s right to be informed, understand, and agree to the services to be provided, roles and responsibilities of the service providers and how information collected during the process will released to others and for what purpose. Signed consent is required as proof of consent. Informed consent is obtained at the beginning of a process and may be required again if the nature of the services provided are later updated or revised.

Information Sources and Resources for Consideration

None

Context Rating Scales

Criticality

Q: What is the consequence of a professional being unable to perform this skill according to the standard?

High probability of risk: VERY CRITICAL

Frequency

Q: How frequent and under what conditions is this skill performed?

Routinely, regular course of procedure

Level of Difficulty

Q: Under routine circumstances, how would you rate the level of difficulty in performing this skill?

Minimal difficulty or complexity

Time Required to Gain Proficiency

Q: What is the average length of time or number of repeated events that are minimally necessary for an individual to become proficient in performing the skill to the standard?

To become fully proficient in this competency, a career development professional requires a minimum of one year of experience with at least 40 different clients, representing a broad range of individuals.

Autonomy

Practitioners typically perform this competency without supervision, and alone.

Automation

It is unlikely that this competency will automate.

Requisite Work Aids, Tools, Equipment or Materials

None