Reviewing and updating the emergency plan

“Review and update an emergency preparedness plan for your Counseling practice” (NBCC, 2027 task 6.15)

An emergency plan is only useful if it is current. Practices review and update their plans regularly and after incidents, drills or changes in staff, location, technology or law. The exam tests what a review should cover and why it matters.

Key points

Review the plan at least annually and after any incident, drill, move, staffing change, new technology or relevant change in law or guidance.
Confirm contact lists for staff, clients and emergency services are current and accessible off site.
Check that records and systems can be accessed or restored: backups, cloud access and a cybersecurity response plan.
Update procedures for new service modes, such as telehealth emergencies with clients in other locations.
Practice the plan through drills or tabletop exercises so staff know their roles.
Include continuity of care: how clients will be informed and served if the office closes, and a professional will for the counselor.
Document reviews and changes.

In practice

After a ransomware attack at a nearby clinic, a group practice reviews its plan, adds a step-by-step cyber incident procedure, tests restoring its records from backup, and updates its vendor contact list.

When a solo counselor shifts half her caseload to telehealth, she updates her emergency plan to include collecting each telehealth client's location and local emergency resources.

Check yourself

When should an emergency preparedness plan be reviewed?

At least annually and after incidents, drills, or changes in staff, location, technology or law.

Why practice the plan through drills?

Staff learn their roles and gaps in the plan are found before a real emergency.

What telehealth-specific item should an updated plan include?

Procedures for emergencies with remote clients, including their location and local emergency resources.

NBCC's knowledge and skills for Domain 6

Knowledge of: State laws (state licensure law, supervision requirements, abuse reporting, license renewal, CAQH); Federal laws (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, immigration policy, HI-TECH, ADA, NPI); Codes of ethics; Third-party reimbursement, insurance and billing (e.g., CPT codes); Counseling Compact; Emerging technologies in Counseling; Crisis policies and procedures; Recording keeping and reporting requirements and procedures; Appropriate logistics for telemental health services; Scope of practice (e.g., letters of support, working with special populations); Alternative medical-assisted/pharmacological interventions; Accessing state licensure board; Executing voluntary and involuntary commitments.

Skill in: Maintaining confidentiality; Discerning reputable training providers and programs; Troubleshooting technological difficulties during telemental health session (e.g., session disconnects, video not working); Billing and third-party reimbursement.

A study guide written by ExamDragon from NBCC's published task; not NBCC material and not part of the exam.