Benjamin Guidon

Meet Clinical Supervisor Benjamin!

Aug 17, 2020

Q: Describe a typical day as a Clinical Supervisor.

A: I like to start my day first and foremost with a LARGE cup of coffee.

It’s the responsibility as a clinical supervisor to be involved with staff, so I like to come in a little earlier to see overnight staff and shift change. Keeping communication open with staff and getting to know them is a priority for me.

Afterwards, I check emails and faxes for referrals to add to the waitlist for IRTS placement. When a referral comes in, I call the referral source and let them know more about the program, the waitlist, and what the next steps in the process looks like. Once all emails and faxes are responded to, I go through Credible to review documentation on client charts and provide feedback to staff on their excellent clinical details and growth edges for improvement.

The day generally wraps up after a few scheduled and impromptu meetings with clients, supervision with staff, or leadership meetings.

Q: Why did you choose to work for Guild?

A: I’ve always lived in or around St. Paul and have known of Guild and the work the organization does in the community. Guild is a great support in Dakota county, which is a community I am connected to; it makes it feel more like home to me.

Q: How did your career path lead you to your current position at Guild?

A: As someone who has worked in IRTS facilities before I was open to taking a leadership position at my stage of career development and was confident in my experience with this level of care that I could do it.  Guild seemed like a natural and obvious choice for me, and I am glad to have transitioned into this role.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?

A: I work with a great group of people in IRTS that make it clear that they are dedicated to the care of clients we serve. I know when I come into work that if a problem arises, there are plenty of those who step up to the plate to manage it. Having a knowledgeable and hardworking team who are all still openminded to new ideas and innovations is a big part of what I love about this work.

It might seem strange to some, but I actually love documentation, writing diagnostic assessments, functional assessments, and other charting. Getting to do that regularly is a perk to me in getting fulfillment each day at Guild South.

Lastly, especially during uncertain times like these, it has felt very rewarding (and a touch exhausting) to provide residential care to those in need. Knowing that our doors are still open, groups are still running, treatment is still happening, food is still cooking, and the lights are still on is refreshing to be a part of.

Q: What’s your proudest memory from working at Guild?

A: I have not been with Guild for very long; in fact, I started in March and I know my proudest memory has been seeing the IRTS and Crisis team at Guild South handle COVID-19.  I’ve seen the same folks say that they have trouble with technology and still get clients connected to telehealth meetings with their providers.  I see people who are cleaning surfaces, washing tables, serving food, and coaching clients on health and safety and still complete all their other tasks and pick up extra shifts or fill in where they are needed.  I’m very proud of the teams I work with and know that Guild South would not run without each and every person on the team.

Q: What’s something you’ve learned throughout your time as a Clinical Supervisor?

A: I’ve learned a lot about managing waitlists and referrals, along with juggling different deadlines while being a clinical supervisor.  I have been exposed to different leadership styles and dynamics that have given me new ideas and strategies to use myself and deepened my own understanding of how I lead.  Each day that I come to work, I am learning something new about the position, in part because I’m still relatively new to Guild, and in part because everyone I work with has a wealth of knowledge to share.

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: I don’t just like to write clinically; I also have been working on a novel for several years that has been on the backburner while I’ve been in school. I have been trying to pick that up again when I have free time. Despite recent stay-at-home restrictions, I still get to run or bike outside, walk the dogs with my fiancé Kayla, walk our tortoise when the weather is nicer, and go to parks.  On weekends I like to get friends together (virtually) to play Dungeons and Dragons, video meetings over coffee to catch up, or video games.