Purchasing Agent (Prosthetics)

Veterans Health Administration • Asheville, NC

32d • Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to perform direct medical supply purchasing and inventory management support to the administrative and clinical services of the VA to initiate the obligation for all related requirements necessary to provide Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services, to include durable medical equipment and supplies directly to Veterans.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including an online assessment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
• Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05.
• GS-05 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Selects, acquires, stores, and distributes resources such as materials, equipment, or money; Works and communicates with clients and customers; organizational and communication skills; utilizing computerized systems and Microsoft Office software programs such as MS Word and Excel.
• GS-05 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (Transcript Required): Successful completion of (4) years of education above the high school level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.
• GS-05 COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (Transcript Required): Combination of successfully completed post high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement.
• GS-06 Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes: Experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management within a healthcare or prosthetics context; Conducts market research in determining appropriate source for procurement; Makes purchases of equipment, commodities and services using standard methods; reconciles charge to appropriate purchase; utilizing automated computerized supply/inventory management systems and Microsoft Office software programs such as MS Word and Excel.
• The work is sedentary; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as papers and books.
• The incumbent's work is normally performed in an office setting utilizing a computer terminal.
• Incumbent performs job site visits when necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Relocation/Recruitment incentives of up to 15% of total salary with a 2-year service agreement may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Performs procurements within the simplified acquisition threshold through competitive open-market procedures.
• Makes purchases of equipment, commodities and services using standard methods.
• Determines any additional information needed to support or complete purchase requests.
• Coordinates with requesting offices to obtain additional information determined necessary to support or complete purchase requests.
• Speaks calmly and compassionately to severely disabled patients from all walks of life.
• Maintains organized records of procurement packages.
• Conducts market research in determining appropriate source for procurement.
• Accurately reconciles charge to appropriate purchase.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree