Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration•Altoona, PA

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent is organizationally located in the Prosthetic Service within the Medical Center and works under the supervision of the Chief Prosthetics Agent. The position receives and analyzes prosthetic consults and prescriptions for items, services, and home medical equipment, verifies requests for completeness and proper documentation, and arranges procurement. The incumbent establishes workflow protocols for timely processing, coordinates work in special circumstances, and advises other services on requisition policies and procedures. As a subject matter expert, the Purchasing Agent also guides potential vendors on the requirements and information needed for the VHA local vendor file. The role examines clinical health records and claims folders to determine eligibility and entitlement, and advises Veterans and clinicians about those entitlements. It reviews clinical requests and determines sources, replacement-part availability, and alternatives for power mobility equipment, artificial limbs, and other medical equipment. The incumbent procures specialized medical equipment, supplies, and services for Veterans, including items with critical or unique characteristics, and makes purchases using the government purchase card for micro-purchases. The role negotiates prices with sole-source vendors, works with reluctant vendors, gathers data for new requirements, prepares and authorizes complex purchase orders, and executes price adjustments and resolves purchase-order discrepancies, modifications, amendments, and cancellations. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is ad hoc; the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives, critical skills incentive, and permanent change of station are not authorized or approved.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
For GS-6, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5 is required; examples include procuring specialized medical equipment, supplies, and services; handling purchase-order adjustments, discrepancies, modifications, amendments, and cancellations; analyzing prosthetic consults and prescriptions; using a government purchase card for micro-purchases; maintaining records of transactions, funding, billing, and account reconciliation, including under the Prompt Payment Act; and knowledge of purchasing strategies such as solicitation, clauses, offer selection, and lead times.
Current or former Federal employees subject to time-in-grade requirements must have 52 weeks at GS-5 for a GS-6 position by the announcement closing date.
Applicants must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
Selected applicants are subject to background/security investigation and online onboarding.
Seasonal influenza vaccination is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
A one-year probationary period or two-year trial period is required, as applicable.
No educational substitution is available at this grade level.

Responsibilities

Receive and analyze prosthetic consults and prescriptions for items, services, and home medical equipment.
Review requests for completeness and proper documentation and arrange procurement.
Establish workflow protocols to ensure timely execution of work and coordinate work for special circumstances.
Advise other services on policies and procedures for establishing requisitions for services, equipment, and commodities.
Review requests from various sources and make substitutions when necessary and within scope.
Provide potential vendors with guidance on requirements and information needed for the VHA local vendor file.
Examine clinical health records and claims folders to determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services.
Advise Veterans and clinicians regarding eligibility and entitlements.
Review clinical requests and determine sources, availability of replacement parts, and alternatives for power mobility equipment, artificial limbs, and other medical equipment.
Procure specialized medical equipment, supplies, and services for Veterans, including equipment with critical or unique characteristics.
Purchase equipment, supplies, and services using the government purchase card for micro-purchases.
Negotiate prices with sole-source vendors, persuade reluctant vendors, and collect data for requirements not previously required.
Authorize and prepare complex purchase orders for devices, medical supplies, and durable medical equipment.
Execute price adjustments and resolve discrepancies, modifications, amendments, and cancellations of purchase orders.
Perform other duties as assigned.