Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration•Augusta, GA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent works in the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line at the Augusta VA Medical Center. The position provides direct medical supply purchasing and inventory-management support to VA administrative and clinical services, including inpatient implant care coordination and outpatient treatment programs. The incumbent procures patient-specific medical equipment, supplies, and services based on clinical assessments and Veterans’ needs, and maintains accurate purchasing and accounting records. The agent reviews clinical records and prosthetic consults to assess eligibility and entitlement, coordinates equipment delivery, works with vendors and contractors, and resolves purchasing-order, billing, shipment, and payment issues. The role involves independent purchasing decisions for open-market, custom, or complex needs; vendor vetting; and preparation of acquisition plans and procurement packages. Work must follow applicable federal, VA, VHA, VISN, and station procurement requirements. The position is not virtual and follows a Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. schedule. It requires a pre-placement physical evaluation, background/security investigation, seasonal influenza vaccination, and a one-year probationary or two-year trial period.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
Meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement if a current or former federal employee subject to it: 52 weeks at GS-04 for GS-05 consideration or 52 weeks at GS-05 for GS-06 consideration.
For GS-05, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, four years of education above high school, or an eligible combination of education and experience. Specialized experience examples include purchasing/procurement support, procuring supplies or services, coordinating needs with medical staff, resolving procurement discrepancies, purchase-card use, records/report preparation using computerized supply or inventory systems and Microsoft Office, and basic medical terminology.
For GS-06, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05. Examples include purchasing/procurement support, procuring supplies or services, working with medical staff on procurement needs, resolving shipment or payment discrepancies, purchase-card use, computerized supply/inventory systems and Microsoft Office, prosthetics experience, and Government purchase-card experience or training.
Clearly document relevant duties, responsibilities, and hours worked per week in the application/resume; applicants seeking credit for Government purchase-card experience should list it and be prepared to provide proof of cardholder status or training.
Submit applicable transcripts if qualifying based in whole or in part on education; education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Complete a pre-placement physical evaluation and required background/security investigation and onboarding.
Provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; effective May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or state IDs are not acceptable for this purpose.
Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Coordinate delivery of home medical equipment.
Maintain accurate funding, billing, and account balances.
Research brochures and contracts to identify reasonably priced items.
Use PSAS software to maintain detailed and accurate accounting of actions for Veterans.
Review electronic health records to determine legal eligibility and medical entitlement for prosthetic items and services.
Contact vendors and contractors to procure items and services.
Resolve purchase-order conflicts, including protests, claims, duplicate billing, and terminations for convenience or default.
Work with vendors to troubleshoot and correct duplicate billing errors and reconcile purchase orders.
Make independent open-market purchasing decisions for custom or complex home installations and devices, considering bids, the Veteran’s medical condition and living situation, and consult information.
Vet and vendorize suppliers under VHA Prosthetics guidelines when items are unavailable through established vendor networks.
Provide technical purchasing support in accordance with FAR, VAAR, VHA, Prosthetics, VISN, and station policies and guidance.
Gather procurement information and prepare acquisition plans and procurement packages for stock and Veteran-specific needs for the Network Contracting Office.
Upload quotes, bids, invoices, consults, and other required documents to eCMS/FORCE.
Verify compliance with training and other contractual agreements.
Monitor, receive, track, interpret, and analyze prosthetic consults and prescriptions (VAF 10-2431).
Review clinical records and claims folders to determine eligibility and entitlement, and advise Veterans accordingly.
As a purchase card holder, comply with purchase card regulations and quarterly audits.
Perform other duties as assigned.