On the road
Once you’re on board with RTG, you’ll probably be driving to most of your assignments. Driving is usually the best option for our traveling medical professionals, because driving makes them eligible for mileage reimbursements and occasionally weekly car subsidies. Having your own personal vehicle when on assignment is also nice because you have more freedom to explore the community on off days, or simply to run everyday errands.
Top it off
You don’t want to be stranded roadside, so if your assignment is a considerable distance away, it’s important to make sure your car is in tip-top shape before you head out. This is a good time to get that oil change and tune-up, and also to make sure your mechanic checks your fluids and tires. You’ll want to replace worn wiper blades now, too, and maybe even go for a wash and vacuum so you dont spend hours on the road trapped in a dirty car. And if you don’t already have a motor club membership or some other roadside emergency assistance service, you should probably consider one.
Are we there yet?
It seems a lot harder to get lost than it used to be, but even if you’ve planned out your route carefully, you never know when you might encounter confusing detours, road construction, or other obstacles and delays. Make sure you bring along navigational aids, whether that means online mapping services and GPS, or good old-fashioned paper maps. You may also find it helpful to locate gas stations, hotels and restaurants along the way so you can plan out your fuel stops, overnight stays and meals ahead of time.
Check, check…
At some point you’ll have it down to a routine, but a checklist is a good way to help ensure you don’t leave any of your road trip essentials behind. Some of the items you might want to include on the list are car chargers for your cell phone, an mp3 player and laptop, a jacket and umbrella (it never hurts to be prepared for bad weather, even if it’s sunny when you leave), and a little bit of cash for emergencies in case you can’t find an ATM.
In the bag
A roadside emergency kit for your car is pretty easy to put together, and invaluable in an emergency. Whether you buy a pre-made kit or assemble your own, be sure to includes items like a flashlight, jumper cables, tire sealant, and maybe even road flares. It’s also handy to have a small front-seat bag filled with the essentials for yourself so you don’t have to dig through your tightly packed luggage in the trunk at a simple stop.
Happy travels!
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photo credit: chris.chabot via photopin cc
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