Locum Tenens Tips

How to Manage Unexpected Travel and Housing Issues When Working Locum Tenens

Delayed flight on locum tenens assignmentBefore you treat patients at a locum tenens assignment, you first have to travel to your newly adopted city. Ideally, it goes smoothly—maneuvering through airport check-in and security, landing on time, and picking up your luggage and rental car—all without a hitch.

“We want locum tenens providers to arrive at their assignments safe, comfortable, and well-rested so they are ready to care for patients,” says Gordon Cowley, travel manager for CHG Healthcare Services, which handles travel arrangements for Weatherby Healthcare.

Sometimes, though, you may encounter the unexpected when getting from “here to there.” Maybe Mother Nature interrupts flight patterns or your luggage inadvertently boards a different plane. Fortunately, many of these situations come with solutions, and your staffing agency is ready to help. Read on to see how to solve common travel hiccups for a seamless start—or finish—to locum tenens jobs.

Delayed, canceled, or missed flights

Inclement weather and mechanical difficulties can wreak havoc on air travel schedules, creating delays, postponements, and cancellations. If you suddenly find yourself at the airport with no flight, or weather delays cost you a connecting flight, the first thing to do is notify your staffing company.

“We’re here from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, so during business hours, call us directly and we’ll reroute you,” says Cowley. “If it’s after business hours, call our 24-hour emergency service phone number.” Both should be listed in your itinerary.

However, if a mega weather event affects a large number of flights simultaneously, Cowley suggests providers deal with the airline directly. “When thousands of people are trying to reroute at the same time, it might go faster for you to book a new flight at the ticket counter rather than wait for us to get through to airlines over the phone.”

Tip: Sign up for frequent flyer programs. Of course, you earn points toward future travel, but the airlines also keep your contact information on file. “Because your reservation is tied to that frequent flyer account, it’s much easier for the airline to contact you if your flight changes,” says Cowley.

Lost or stolen luggage

If you get separated from your suitcases, IndependentTraveler.com recommends:

1. Filing a claim with the airline immediately. Be sure to include the address where you’ll be staying during your locum tenens contract and your cell phone number.

2. Inquiring about how to check the status of your luggage, such as through an online tracking site.

If your bags don’t show up within 24 – 48 hours, request a written claim from the airline so you can be reimbursed for your property and any fees paid. Also, keep receipts of replacement items purchased for reimbursement. The maximum amount typically granted is $3,400 per passenger, but stolen luggage may be covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy.

Tip: Maintain a list of everything packed in checked bags and keep the list with your carry-on bags. Also, stash valuables in carry-ons—including a change of clothes, just in case—and invest in “smart” luggage or suitcase tags encoded with trackers.

Housing issues

Where you stay on assignment can vary depending on contract length and housing availability. “We go through extensive searches to make sure we’re putting locum tenens providers in safe and comfortable accommodations,” says Cathie Lopez, housing supervisor.

Still, things come up. For example, if you’re scheduled for nights, daytime noise may interfere with your ability to sleep and you may wish to move to a different unit. Or perhaps something malfunctions and needs repairs.

“If that happens, the first and only step providers should take is notifying their consultants, who will then contact us,” advises Lopez. “Provide as many details as possible. Also, if you go to the manager’s office with a complaint, document who you spoke to, when, and what the outcome was. We’ll work with them to rectify the situation. We want to keep our providers happy while they’re away from home.”

Tip: If you have a preferred house or apartment in which you’d like to live during an assignment, Lopez suggests passing along the owner’s or property manager’s contact info to your consultant. “Then let us take care of the lease,” she says.

About the author

Anne Baye Ericksen

Anne Baye Ericksen is a journalist and locum tenens subject-matter expert with more than two decades of experience. She was a regular contributor to LocumLife, Healthcare Traveler and Healthcare Staffing and Management Solutions magazines.

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