Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration • Syracuse, NY

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent serves as a member of the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line in Legacy VISN 2 NY/NJ. The incumbent may work at any medical center, health care system, or associated Community Based Outpatient Clinic within Legacy VISN 2. PSAS coordinates services and clinics including Amputee, Rehabilitation Brace, SCI Brace, Wheelchair Evaluation, Diabetic Foot, Major Medical Equipment Committee, Specialty Bed, Prosthetics and Orthotics, and Home Respiratory Care Team Committee. The position's scope also includes Network CBOCs and specialized clinical referrals involving transfers to a VAMC from outside VISN facilities.

This is a direct patient care position. The incumbent provides medical supply purchasing and inventory management support to administrative and clinical services, working directly with Veterans, their families, surgeons, and clinical providers. The role initiates procurement of outpatient medical requirements, including individual purchases for Veterans, stock purchases, surgical implants, and rentals of outpatient medical equipment and supplies.

The incumbent performs technical-level purchasing in accordance with the FAR, VAAR, VHA and Prosthetics directives and handbooks, VISN policy, and station memorandums. Purchases support Veteran-specific medical needs based on provider assessments and include durable medical equipment and supplies, rehabilitation equipment, mobility and daily living aids, neuro-sensory equipment, home oxygen, inpatient surgical implants, and other supplies. The incumbent gathers procurement information, prepares acquisition plans and procurement packages for stock and Veteran-specific needs, and uploads supporting documents to eCMS/FORCE. The position also verifies vendor UEI information and SAM registration and standing.

The Purchasing Agent supports adult Veteran care and serves as a point of contact for external customer service inventory needs. The incumbent reviews detailed specifications and statements of work for discrepancies or gaps, coordinates rental extensions or discontinuations with requestors, arranges device retrieval with vendors, and reconciles rental days to maintain fiscal accountability.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position is performed in an office setting with everyday risks or discomforts and normal safety precautions. Some standing, sitting, walking, or bending is required; there are no special physical demands.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service, typically related to the work of the position.
• Specialized experience performing clerical or assistant duties in support of purchasing and procurement.
• Experience procuring supplies and services to meet an organization's purchase, rental, or lease needs.
• Experience working with medical staff to determine procurement needs and priorities.
• Experience resolving shipment, payment, or other discrepancies in procurement programs and operations.
• Experience purchasing equipment, supplies, and services using a purchase card.
• Experience assembling or summarizing information from files and documents to create reports using automated computerized supply or inventory management systems and Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Completion of the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Current Federal employees and other applicable applicants must meet the GS-6 time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-5 and submit supporting SF-50 documentation.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including some standing, sitting, walking, or bending.
• Selected applicants must complete the required background/security investigation and online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A probationary period may be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct medical supply purchasing and inventory management support to VA administrative and clinical services.
• Work directly with Veterans, their families, surgeons, and clinical providers to support patient-care procurement needs.
• Initiate procurement of outpatient medical requirements, including individual Veteran purchases, stock purchases, surgical implants, and equipment and supply rentals.
• Purchase Veteran-specific medical equipment, supplies, and services in accordance with applicable federal, VA, VHA, VISN, and station requirements.
• Procure rentals, durable medical equipment and supplies, rehabilitation equipment, mobility and daily living aids, neuro-sensory equipment, home oxygen, inpatient surgical implants, and related supplies.
• 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 procurement documents to eCMS/FORCE.
• Verify vendor UEI information and confirm vendors are registered in SAM and in good standing to do business with the government.
• Provide Veteran care and support services to an adult population and serve as a point of contact for external customer service inventory needs.
• Review detailed specifications and statements of work for discrepancies or gaps.
• Coordinate rental follow-up with requestors to obtain additional rental days or discontinue VA services to vendors.
• Coordinate device retrieval with vendors and reconcile rental days for fiscal accountability.
• Support the scope of PSAS services across Network CBOCs and specialized clinical referrals.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Newly appointed Federal employees may request credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service to determine annual leave accrual; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed