Healthcare Traveler - October 2008 - (Page 12) Company Corner AG E N C Y P E R SP E C T I V E S O N H E A LT H C A R E T R AV E L Housing: Getting ready for your next destination As with each travel assignment you take, your housing will vary from city to city. How can you make sure it meets your needs? Nora Adams P rior to signing any contract, it’s essential that you understand what to expect from standard—singleperson—accommodations and how much you may be able to customize your housing for a particular assignment. If you opt to make changes to your housing budget—such as upgrading to a two-bedroom apartment so family members can travel with you, bringing a pet along for the ride, or wanting an extra TV for the bedroom— you will need to pay the added expense. depend on state occupancy guidelines: In California, three individuals can reside in a one-bedroom apartment and up to five can live in a two-bedroom. If your spouse and child will be joining you, and your child is an infant, a second bedroom may not be necessary, considering the placement of the crib. But, if you have diverse shifts and are scheduled to arrive home while everyone is still fast asleep, that second bedroom may be crucial. Before making your final decision, always contact your staffing agency’s Housing Department to discuss in detail the cost differential on larger floor plans. legislation, and it is imperative that you can verify current vaccinations, veterinary records, and tags. Most apartments require added pet rent and a sizable pet deposit. Such fees exceed your overall housing budget, and you will be responsible for paying the difference. “Clearly communicate your desires to your recruiter and talk about options with your housing coordinator.” To help ensure that your contract meets your needs, communicate your desires clearly to your recruiter up front and talk about options with your housing coordinator. Each unique accommodation comes with a completely new list of amenities, set of restrictions on pets, size of unit, and change to your daily commute. Whether you are taking an assignment along the coastline or in a major metropolitan city, discuss the following issues so you can make the most informed decision possible. Items included A standard one-bedroom layout comes with a queen bedroom set, dinette set (with two to four chairs), and a complete living room ensemble, usually with a TV and DVD player. If you are accustomed to a “turn-key” unit, which is furnished with linens, bathroom essentials, cleaning components, and all kitchen set-ups, inquire with your staffing company whether such a housewares package is included with your housing budget. Ask what the nominal fee is otherwise. The charge may be three times as much as the cost to purchase the items on your own. Investing in personal housewares not only can save money, but also can help create a “made-to-order atmosphere.” Community features Typically, apartment complexes offer pools, fitness rooms, laundry rooms, and assigned parking. For communities that do not have a washer/dryer in each unit, on-site laundry rooms are conveniently located throughout. Also, depending on properties’ age and location, you may not have air conditioning. This is especially so in coastal areas, where ceiling fans and multi windows create a cross-breeze. Inclusive utilities A typical utility set-up is gas/electric/ water and trash. With most assignments, these utilities are “capped” based on occupancy and square footage. Be sure to review with your housing coordinator your anticipated monthly utility budget. By adhering to energy saving guidelines, you should not exceed your set cap. However, if you do, such costs will be charged to your account. If you’re assigned to a remote region and apartment complexes are not available, many travel companies will place you in a privately owned home or condo, www.healthcaretraveler.com Pet acceptance policies If you plan to bring your pet, consider that not all apartment communities accept animals, and some privately owned properties may refuse them, too. If they are accepted in multi-unit dwellings, look for stringent regulations for certain breeds, size, and quantity of pets allowed. Many states have enacted breed-specific Size of the apartment Unless specified, your apartment size likely will be a studio or a one-bedroom floor plan. Upgrades to larger units may 12 Healthcare Traveler October 2008 http://www.healthcaretraveler.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.