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JRCERT Update

Contingency Planning

Leslie Winter, MS, R.T.(R)

hile organizations and individuals might addresses any type of catastrophic event that could
rarely expect a crisis to occur, having a affect student learning and program operations.
backup plan in place is best practice. Although the contingency plan does not need to be
WOrganizations use contingency plans to made readily available to the public, program faculty
return to daily operations as soon as possible by pro- should be made aware of the contingency plan. 3
tecting resources, minimizing customer inconvenience, Contingency planning is a component of risk man-
and assigning staff specific recovery responsibilities agement, strategic and succession planning, so how
after an unexpected event. Unforeseen events have does a program develop a contingency plan and assure
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varied from natural disasters to cyberattacks to most it is ready for some unforeseen event? Many programs
recently, the Covid-19 pandemic, which has prompted might have an outline or template provided by their
institutions of higher education and educational sponsoring institution; however, if this is not the case,
programs to review, revise, or perhaps develop their general steps can be taken to develop and implement a
contingency plan. contingency plan (see Figure).
A contingency plan is a roadmap created by
management to help an organization respond to an Plan Development and Implementation
event that might or might not happen in the future. 2 With all program faculty and administrators,
The Joint Review Committee on Education in brainstorm possible risks, such as natural disasters,
Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) Standards for an data breeches, or even a pandemic, that could affect
Accredited Educational Program (2021) require program operations. Next, programs should ascertain
programs to possess and maintain a contingency plan. how operations might be affected and alternate modes
Standard 1, Objective 1.1 states, “The sponsoring that could be implemented so the educational process
institution and program provide students, faculty, and can still function as close to normal as possible. In these
the public with policies, procedures, and relevant discussions, communication and resources are crucial
information. Policies and procedures must be fair, components that need to be incorporated. How will the
equitably applied, and readily available.” In addi- program communicate with various communities of
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tion, programs must develop a contingency plan that interest, such as program officials, students, or clinical

IDENTIFY PRIORTIZE TEST AND
POTENTIAL RISKS EACH RISK RESOURCES DEVELOP PLAN COMMUNICATE PLAN REVIEW AND REVISE
• Natural disaster • Based on potential risk • Identify • Individuals • Conduct trial run remotely • Review periodically
• Technology breech • Develop various action • Gather • Gather • Ensure all program • Revise based on
“lessons learned”
o cials and faculty
• Pandemic plans based on risk • Training • Training
familiar

Figure 4. General steps in development and implementation of a contingency plan

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, May/June 2022, Volume 93, Number 3 1