Course Code: REL-BHC-0-AIWPN
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2025
Learning Objectives:
Identify how effective progress notes support safe, effective, and high-quality treatment.
Recall the most common formats for developing effective progress notes.
Recognize at least three helpful tips you can use to improve the quality of the progress notes you write.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Progress Notes in Behavioral Health
Meet Seth
Seth’s Progress Note
The Importance of Progress Notes
The Stakeholders
The Golden Thread
Elements of an Effective Progress Note
Accurate and Detailed Documentation
The Importance of Timely Documentation
What to Avoid: “Noisy” Notes
Compliance Rules
Common Mistakes
Review
Summary
Section 3: Methods of Progress Note Writing
What’s the Best Approach for You?
Variety of Methods
The SOAP Note
Quick Review
The IGBIRP Method
Introduction
Goals or Objectives
Behavior
Interventions
Response and Plan
The DAP Progress Note
General DAP Note Considerations
Review
Summary
Section 4: Useful Tips for Charting
Writing Tips for Progress Notes
Professional Language
Excessively Positive and Critical Language
Pronoun Misunderstandings and Judgmental Language
Quick Check
Preparation Is Important!
Strategies for Timely Documentation
Avoid Shortcuts
More Preparatory Guidelines
Progress Note Billing
Review
Summary
Section 5: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Subject Matter Expert: Jacob Helton, Psy.D.
Jacob Helton, Psy.D., received his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Marywood University in Pennsylvania. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Chehalem Youth and Family Services in Newberg, Oregon, which included extensive training with at-risk youth and their families. He is licensed as a psychologist in Oregon and most recently worked in an integrated family medicine and internal medicine group for a large healthcare organization. Dr. Helton has worked in hospital, school, residential, and community mental health settings. He has provided treatment to clients across the lifespan and diagnostic spectrum, with an emphasis on the treatment of anxiety disorders, co-occurring medical and mental health disorders, ADHD, insomnia, severe and persistent mental illness, and the aging. He has experience as a technical writer and has provided numerous trainings to mental health professionals, physicians, allied professionals, and direct care staff.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Direct Care Workers; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
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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.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.