What to Pack for Allied Health Travel Jobs

Location of Your Assignment

You should also consider the location of your assignment. This has a big effect on what you bring. For instance, you probably don’t need to pack your snow boots if your assignment is in Dallas in July. It also affects what kind of hobby items you bring. If you’re going to a big city far away from nature, you probably don’t need your hiking boots unless you plan to make a special trip during your assignment. 

Consider What You’ll Actually Need and Use

It’s really easy to look at all your stuff and think you really need certain items that you don’t. It’s important to be realistic about what you’ll actually use on assignment and what will just take up space. For instance, what’s the likelihood that you’ll actually need a ball gown in your closet? Or how likely is it that you’ll need the espresso machine that you only really use once every few months in lieu of your simple, handy drip coffee maker? Think about what will be put to good use and what won’t during your allied health travel jobs. 

Try to Be a Minimalist When Packing for Allied Health Travel Jobs

When packing for allied health travel jobs, try to be a minimalist. You don’t want to be stuck without necessary items, of course, but less is usually more. After all, you’ll need to transport it to your new city, unpack it, and then pack it all back up and start the process over again when your assignment ends. Try to choose things that you really need and use. 

Ask What’s Provided With Housing for Allied Health Travel Jobs

Another thing to consider is what will be included in your housing for allied healthcare jobs. If you take agency provided housing from our team, then your housing will be furnished with most of the things you need like a bed, a table, and chairs. Always double check with our housing experts for specifics.

If you find your own housing, then what’s included will vary. Some will be furnished and some won’t. Some will have cookware and some won’t. Make sure you confirm so that you know what you will need to bring with you. 

Basic Packing List for Allied Health Travel Jobs

As we mentioned, everyone will pack a little differently, but there are some things to consider tossing in your bag or car for your allied health travel jobs, including:

Important Documents

You may need to travel with several important documents. For instance, your driver’s license, your social security card, and immunization records for your job. Try to have both physical and digital copies of these on hand just in case. Any important documents that you don’t need to travel with should stay home, preferably somewhere like a lockbox to ensure they’re safe. 

Work Equipment for Allied Healthcare Jobs

You’ll also need to bring certain things for your allied health travel jobs. For instance, you likely will need to bring your scrubs with you. You might also have certain pens you prefer. Whatever you need to do your job that the facility doesn’t provide, make sure it goes on your packing list. 

Medications You Need

Make sure you have all the medicines you need. This goes for both prescription and over the counter. You don’t want to get caught without it! Don’t forget glasses or contact lenses and other medical equipment as well, such as CPAP machines. 

It might also be a good idea to add a first aid kit to your packing list. These can come in handy both on the road and at home for small accidents. 

Clothes

Obviously you’ll need clothes for your trip as well. Just make sure you pack sensibly. Generally it’s a good idea to bring a mix of casual wear, dressier clothes, workout clothes, and pajamas. For cold places you might also need things like a winter coat and snow boots. For warmer spots, bring a swimsuit. Make sure you have clothes for a few different situations, just in case. You never know when you’ll be invited to a nice dinner or to go on a quick hike!

Personal Items

You probably have a favorite shampoo and moisturizer. You might not be able to do your hair without a hair dryer. Anything you need in the way of toiletries and other personal care items, make sure you pack them. Sure, a lot of the stuff is easy to pick up if you forget, but it can make for a rough day until you’re able to grab them. Not to mention it can get expensive to replace some of this stuff every time you change allied health travel jobs. 

Comforts of Home

Don’t be afraid to bring some comforts with you to make yourself feel more at home. This is different for everyone, it might be your favorite blanket, a picture album, or even a candle with your favorite scent. Whatever makes you feel most at home, bring it along!

Homewares

Sometimes you will need things for your home during your assignment. For instance, bedding, towels, and cookware. As we mentioned, check to see what’s included with your housing. However, there’s a good chance you’ll need to bring some kind of house item with you, be it a TV, towels, or just a small speaker. 

Hobby Items

Don’t forget things you need for your hobbies! Whether you’re into camping, crafting, or something else, there’s probably some items and equipment you’ll need. Take what you need to enjoy your hobbies on your time off. 

What Not to Pack for Allied Health Travel Jobs

Of course, there are a few things we recommend leaving at home as well, such as:

Things You Use Once a Year

Unless you’ll be at your assignment during December, you probably don’t need to bring your Christmas tree with you. Don’t forget that there may be other items you’re tempted to bring, but probably won’t use. For example, if you have a stand mixer you really use only a couple of times a year, then you should probably leave it at home or it might end up just taking up space. 

Very Expensive and Sentimental Items

You should bring items that help you feel comfortable and at home, but there are some things you should probably leave in a safer place. Traveling can make it easy to forget or lose items along the way. So, maybe leave grandma’s heirloom ring at home or in a safety deposit box instead. 

Tips for Saving Space in Your Bag or Car

Often, you’ll have a finite amount of space to fit everything you need for your assignment. If you’re driving, that’s how much you can fit in your car. If you’re flying or taking a bus or train, then it’s your suitcase. We do have a few tips to help save space when packing for your allied health travel jobs: 

Choose Thin Items

Try to choose thinner items whenever possible. For example, if you’re bringing towels, consider using thin camping towels instead of those big fluffy bath towels. In a similar vein, you might pack a quilt instead of a thick comforter. Wherever possible, choose smaller alternatives to items you’ll need, like a laptop instead of a desktop computer.

Use Compression

You can also consider using compression to save space. These are bags that help compress items by removing the air. They won’t work great for hard items like your tablet or phone, but they do great for reducing the space needed for clothes, bedding, and towels. 

Consider Buying Things When You Get There

Another option that many travelers do is purchase items when they arrive. For instance, transporting a bed, table, and couch might not be feasible for you. In these cases, many people choose to purchase them cheap at thrift stores or discount stores. Once you’re ready to move to your next assignment, you can sell them or donate them. 

AHS MedStat – Allied Healthcare Staffing Agency for You

Find amazing opportunities with AHS MedStat. We specialize in allied healthcare staffing and help professionals of all types find travel assignments that fit their needs. As an allied healthcare staffing agency, we really understand what you need. Our recruiters get to know you and your goals so we can match you with ideal assignments for your situation. Get started now by looking at our job board or reaching out to our recruiters.