Misty Koulianos
South Hurstville ,NSW
Summary
Social Worker with expertise in grief, loss, and end-of-life care. Proven ability to build trust with clients and advocate effectively while maintaining professional boundaries. Skilled in assessment and intervention, providing calm support in high-pressure situations. Committed to team success through leadership and mentorship, ensuring high standards of patient care and staff performance.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Coronial Information Support Officer
NSW Government /Coroners Court
Lidcombe
03.2024 - Current
- Delivered exceptional client service through in-person and phone interactions.
- Communicated coronial processes to families, ensuring regular updates and connection.
- Facilitated sensitive material viewings with trauma-informed strategies.
- Utilized software tools to streamline operations and enhance performance.
- Developed comprehensive documentation for support processes to ensure consistency.
- Collaborated with coworkers to effectively resolve product-related issues.
- Organized and prioritized tasks to meet service objectives efficiently.
- Nominated for Bondi Inquest, providing support to affected families and connecting them with resources.
Area Manager, Licensed Certified Social Worker
Arkansas Hospice
05.2010 - 08.2013
- Role included clinical supervision of two interdisciplinary hospice teams that comprised of social workers, registered nurses, chaplains, patient care coordinators and certified nursing assistants.
- Coordinated all home care/nursing home services covering 100-150 patients daily. Maintained knowledge of all hospice services, and overseeing delivery of care for patients in accordance with agency standards as well as policies and procedures.
- Assisted in development of policies and procedures.
- Ensured electronic documentation was complete by regularly auditing for compliance and accuracy.
- Executed hiring of all staff and regular evaluations.
- Ensured code of ethics was utilized in all staff members.
- Participated in community education to provide education about hospice and end of life care.
- Provided psychosocial counseling and pre-bereavement to patients and families who were high risk.
- Advocated for patients and families in leadership meetings to maintain high quality care.
- Performed supervisory on call services every month for over five hundred patients.
- Conducted client assessments to identify needs and develop personalized care plans.
- Advocated for clients' rights in various settings to ensure equitable access to services.
- Documented case notes and reports to maintain accurate records of client progress.
- Provided crisis intervention support during emergency situations for at-risk individuals.
- Educated clients on available programs and resources for continued support and growth.
- Worked collaboratively with other professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and nurses to coordinate care for clients.
- Maintained lists of resources helpful to clients.
- Attended team meetings and provided feedback on case updates and treatment recommendations.
- Assisted clients in accessing community resources such as housing, food pantries, and transportation options.
- Participated in professional development activities such as seminars, workshops, trainings.
- Developed workable solutions for recurring problems for individuals and families.
- Conducted assessments of client needs, strengths, and resources to develop treatment plans.
- Maintained accurate records of client progress and interactions according to agency standards.
- Provided crisis intervention services for clients experiencing acute distress.
- Interviewed clients individually and in family groups to determine services to best address specific needs.
- Educated patients and caregivers on community resources and post-acute level of care criteria, benefits and coverage.
- Implemented social service interventions to achieve treatment goals and address client needs.
- Offered grief and bereavement counseling to support family members after death of loved ones.
- Used active listening skills and supportive diction to cultivate client rapport and open communication.
SW Coordinator, Licensed Master Social Worker
Arkansas Hospice
12.2007 - 05.2010
- Managed performance of social work program for ten locations in Arkansas totaling over 20 social workers.
- Conducted appropriate supervisory visits for clinical observations of social work staff, both LSW and MSW in home, nursing home, or inpatient centre.
- Hired and trained social work staff, as well as audited social work documentation in electronic medical record to ensure compliance and timeliness.
- Ensured code of ethics were demonstrated in all supervised staff and provided corrective action when necessary.
- Managed case loads when short staffed or when patient and/or family had complex needs or high bereavement risk.
- Provided end of life counseling and psychosocial support to patients when necessary.
- Collaborated with other professionals to plan and coordinate care for clients when necessary.
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Advocated for clients to assure respected rights and wishes.
- Helped patients and /or family develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Formulated treatment plan strategies with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and continuous care plan.
Licensed Social Worker, BSW
Arkansas Hospice
05.2004 - 12.2007
- Assisted clients in identifying community resources and connecting with appropriate services for patients/families receiving hospice care in home.
- Caseload of up to 40 patients located in nursing home or personal home.
- Visit frequency based on level of need per patient and family.
- Updated client documentation for accurate, compliant and current records.
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Documented client progress and activities in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care for clients.
- Advocated for clients to assure respected rights and wishes.
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Assisted clients in developing and setting realistic goals to promote positive change.
- Participated in professional development and training opportunities to enhance clinical skills.
- Formulated treatment plan strategies with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and continuous care plan.
- De-escalated stressful situations through individual and family crisis interventions.
- Administered assessments to identify clients' needs and establish treatment plans.
- Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans for clients.
- Collaborated with other professionals to plan and coordinate care for clients.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to evaluate client needs and develop care plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate client services and interventions.
- Provided crisis intervention to clients experiencing acute psychological distress.
- Educated clients on coping strategies and resources for mental health challenges.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client progress and treatment plans in case files.
- Trained interns on best practices in social work techniques and client engagement strategies.
- Collaborated with other professionals to ensure quality care was provided to all clients.
- Monitored client progress through regular follow-up visits or phone calls as needed.
- Participated in case conferences, team meetings and professional development activities.
- Developed individualized service plans to address the specific needs of each client.
- Educated clients on mental health topics such as coping skills, communication strategies and stress management techniques.
- Maintained accurate and timely documentation of assessment results, service plans, progress notes and discharge summaries according to agency standards.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations and agency policies governing social work services.
- Maintained accurate records of all clinical activities according to agency policies and procedures.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments, including functional behavior analysis, to identify client needs and develop treatment plans.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions for clients with similar issues.
- Represented the organization at community events related to social work initiatives.
- Provided guidance regarding ethical considerations related to practice decisions.
- Coordinated care with outside providers, such as psychiatrists and primary care physicians.
- Assisted clients in developing life skills necessary for independent living.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work/Conflict Mediation
University of Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas United States08.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
Cape Girardeau, Missouri United States12.2001
Skills
- Psychosocial support and counseling
- Empathetic communication
- Conflict resolution
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Verbal and written communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Documentation skills
- Patient advocacy and family support
- Timely documentation
- Solution-focused interventions
- Emotional guidance
- Grief counseling
- Patient engagement
- Strengths-based therapy
- Crisis response
- Team collaboration
Certification
Previous Social Work certification in Hospice and Palliative Care
Certification in Conflict Mediation
Additional Information
I am an Australian citizen who moved to Sydney almost ten years ago from the US. My intention was to continue my career as a social worker. However, my son was born with a one in one million, severe lung disease. I spent the first six years being a full time caregiver to my son. I owned and operated my own small business up until recently, so that I could be available for his needs. My son is now doing well and I am able to continue my career as a social worker.
I am also in the process of being assessed by the AASW.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Coronial Information Support Officer
NSW Government /Coroners Court
03.2024 - Current
Area Manager, Licensed Certified Social Worker
Arkansas Hospice
05.2010 - 08.2013
SW Coordinator, Licensed Master Social Worker
Arkansas Hospice
12.2007 - 05.2010
Licensed Social Worker, BSW
Arkansas Hospice
05.2004 - 12.2007
Master of Social Work - Social Work/Conflict Mediation
University of Arkansas
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY