Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration • Goose Creek, SC

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent provides administrative and clinical support by initiating obligations of funds for prosthetic and sensory aid services. These responsibilities include supporting the provision of 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.
• Requires an online assessment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.
• A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• 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.
• 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-06 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
• Maintaining regular contact with vendors, contractors, medical center professionals, and staff.
• Making purchases involving specialized requirements and/or commercial requirements.
• Placing orders for a variety of prosthetic and sensory aid devices, medical supplies, surgical implants, and durable medical equipment against established contracts.
• Analyzing prosthetic request forms.
• Researches information on prosthetic appliances.
• Familiarity with medical terms used to prescribe/describe equipment.

Nice To Haves

• 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

• Works directly with the Veteran, their family, surgeon or clinical provider, and community care discharge planning staff.
• Initiates procurement of all outpatient medical requirements.
• Reads, understands, and follows VA provider prescriptions/consults/electronic health orders to determine a Veteran's eligibility and entitlement for prescribed equipment.
• Selects the most appropriate cost-effective source to deliver the items/service most reliably.
• Takes appropriate action based on the clinical provider's request and the interpreted instructions in the clinical prescription.
• Obligates purchase orders for equipment and/or supplies, or the rental of services.
• Monitors requests to ensure completion.
• Performs independent technical-level purchasing support.
• Obtains all necessary procurement information to submit acquisition plans and procurement packages for stock and veteran-specific needs.
• Ensures services are documented by type and duration.
• Performs simplified purchases, including reviewing the proper purchase hierarchy, which may include open market purchases.
• Selects the item that is both best for the Veteran and the best value for the government.
• Performs other similar or related duties as assigned.

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.

What This Job Offers

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