One of the major perks that draw healthcare workers to locum tenens is the opportunity to travel, explore new places, and experience different cultures, all while getting paid! As exciting as it may be to pack your bags and hit the road to your next locum adventure, we understand that arranging travel accommodations and navigating through airports can be stressful and time-consuming.

Luckily, the travel specialists here at Med X are dedicated to making your travel experience as smooth as possible. Not only do we cover the cost of travel for your assignments, but we will also arrange and manage your flight, lodging, and rental car accommodations. Just communicate your travel preferences and any special requests, and we’ll take care of the rest. The only thing we can’t do is pack your things and hop on the plane for you! With that being said, here are some essential travel tips to consider in order to make the experience as stress-free as possible.

Travel Tips for Your Next Locum Tenens Assignment 

1. Get a TSA PreCheck 

This is a must-have for frequent travelers. TSA Precheck significantly saves you time spent in long security lines - in November 2021, 94% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than 5 minutes! Additionally, you won’t be required to remove your shoes, belt, jacket, compliant liquids, or laptop with a TSA PreCheck membership.

The application is simple, takes just a few minutes, and only costs $85. Domestic travelers can purchase a five-year membership, and international travelers can opt for the Global Entry membership for an additional fee. A TSA PreCheck is hugely beneficial, especially if you're traveling during a busy season like the holiday season. 

2. Plan for flight delays 

Flight delays are unfortunately very common and can be caused by a myriad of reasons including inclement weather, mechanical issues, security clearance purposes, and more. If you fly frequently for locum tenens assignments, your flight is bound to be delayed at one point or another.

To avoid arriving at your assignment destination late, we suggest booking your flight for a day or two before your shift is scheduled to start. Morning flights are also preferred, that way we’ll be able to find you another option later in the day in the event that your flight is canceled or delayed. Arriving early will give you the opportunity to get settled and even explore the area a bit before starting your assignment.

3. Create an itinerary with all travel confirmations and relevant contact info 

Your consultant will provide you with confirmation details for the flight, hotel, and rental car reservations booked for your assignment. We suggest you keep those confirmations, along with your consultant’s contact information, handy in case of any eventuality. It is also advisable to have contact information for your point of contact at the facility. That way, if you are running behind schedule or if you get lost, you can easily communicate your concerns with them. Your itinerary and relevant contact information should be in an easily accessible place, even if you lose your bag or phone. 

Traveling can bring uncertainty and stress, especially when you encounter the aforementioned delays, but don’t hesitate to lean on your consultant! 

4. Use your carry-on 

While checked bags may be necessary for long-term assignments, carry-ons are most ideal for short-term assignments. Spending up to 45 minutes waiting around at the baggage claim or worse, having your luggage lost or stolen, doesn’t make for a desirable start to your trip. The facility will provide all your work essentials, so you only need your personal items. Pack light to keep all your belongings in your allotted carry-on bags. 

Another helpful tip to make packing as quick and easy as possible is to unpack as little as possible between trips. Basically, the only thing you’ll need to remove from your suitcase is your laundry. It’s unlikely that you’ll need items like toiletries, shoes, extra lab coat or scrubs, stethoscope, pager, etc. upon returning home from a locum assignment; keep those items in your bag so all you have to do is pack clean clothes and hit the road!

Bonus Tips

Here are some other invaluable travel tips we’ve learned over the years:

• Avoid traveling during busy days as they are the most stressful, disruptive, and expensive days to travel.
• Whenever possible, book direct flights with your consultant.
• Ensure that all of your gadgets are fully charged before you take off, and carry duplicate charging cords.
• Pick up a noise-canceling headset and carry amenities like hand sanitizers, a pillow, eyeshades, etc. to make your trip more comfortable.
• Bring a quality laptop to stay connected.
• Make a backup of all your important files in cloud storage so you can access them from anywhere.
• Make use of membership or loyalty programs for car rentals, airlines, and hotels.

Working with your consultant to plan your travel properly will make your experience more enjoyable. We'd love to hear other travel tips that we didn't include or hacks that have been working for you. Please drop us a comment in the comment section below.