Purchasing Agent

Department of Veterans Affairs•Shreveport, LA

28d•Onsite

About The Position

Employee will serve as a Purchasing Agent, Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service, VA Medical Center Shreveport, LA. Employee will provide 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. THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-06. At the GS-05 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-06. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

Responsibilities

Performs complex purchasing that requires irregular research, analysis, collaboration, and many other steps to ensure both best value and the most appropriate devices are purchased for the Veterans; and performs routine purchasing which includes routine purchase orders on established contracts or through established vendor resources using regular significant research, analysis or collaboration.
Performs independent technical level purchasing support adhering to all appropriate guidelines and policies to acquire Veteran-specific medical equipment, supplies and services based on a medical providers clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veteran's medical condition.
Performs the process of vetting and vendorizing following appropriate guidelines to complete purchases for items that aren't available through established vendor networks.
Utilizes reporting tools to monitor and track open purchase card orders.
Has the authority to obligate the government in procurement actions up to the single micro-purchase threshold for open market and under established contracts for all types of goods and services.
Researches the use of different solicitation methods, ordering or reporting procedures in both the purchase card menu and the prosthetics program for both complex and simplified purchases.
Performs purchases of specialized/customized equipment or services.
Manages data collection used in preparing and submitting numerous reports.
Resolves conflicts in administering purchase orders, such as protests, claims, duplicate billing, and terminations for convenience or default.
Conducts thorough market research by obtaining competitive bids/ Request for Quotation (RFQ) to determine fair and reasonable pricing.
Uses all applicable Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) when ordering prosthetic items for Veterans for direct patient care or for inventory.
Completes mandatory purchase card training.
Processes emergent orders identified as "stat" orders, providing services within 24-hours.