Purchasing Agent - Prosthetics - Medical Devices

Veterans Health Administration • Indianapolis, IN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Purchasing Agent works in the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line at the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. The role provides direct medical-supply purchasing and inventory-management support to the VA’s administrative and clinical services, initiating obligations for requirements needed to provide prosthetic and sensory-aid services, including durable medical equipment and supplies for Veterans.

This is a multi-grade career ladder position at GS-5 and GS-6. GS-5 assignments have a more limited scope and less independence, with the employee progressively developing the background to perform at the GS-6 full-performance level. Promotion is discretionary and depends on satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and available funds. The position is not virtual; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work is primarily sedentary while performing purchasing duties, but inventory management may involve working in a warehouse and retrieving, stocking, and managing equipment. The position requires prolonged computer use and may involve walking between medical-center locations, visiting sites away from the office, and wearing protective clothing when visiting the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Fabrication Laboratory. Items weighing up to 25 pounds may need to be carried or lifted.

Applicants must meet the applicable GS-5 or GS-6 qualifications. GS-5 qualification may be based on one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4, four years of post-high-school education, or a qualifying combination of education and experience. GS-6 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5; education cannot substitute at this grade. A transcript is required when education is used toward GS-5 qualifications.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• GS-5: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4 involving purchasing administrative or clinical supplies and equipment and using computer software and databases to enter data, compose correspondence, and maintain documentation; or four years of qualifying post-high-school education; or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• GS-6: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 involving processing medical equipment and service requests, purchasing equipment, supplies, and services with an agency or organization purchase card, reconciling purchase orders, and preparing and submitting reports.
• Experience must be documented on the resume with job title, duties, start and end month/year, and hours worked per week.
• A transcript is required if education is used toward GS-5 qualifications; there is no educational substitution at GS-6.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and complete online onboarding and pre-employment identification requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must be able to perform the described inventory duties, including prolonged computer work, walking, bending, climbing, retrieving and stocking equipment, and lifting or carrying items up to 25 pounds.
• May be required to wear protective clothing when visiting the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Fabrication Laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Purchase Veteran-specific medical equipment, supplies, and services based on a medical provider’s clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veteran’s condition.
• Gather procurement information and submit acquisition plans and procurement packages for stock and Veteran-specific needs.
• Upload quotes, bids, invoices, consults, and other procurement documents to the Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS/FORCE).
• Research alternate vendor resources when established sources cannot meet specific purchasing needs.
• Vet and vendorize suppliers in accordance with VHA Prosthetics guidelines for purchases outside established vendor networks.
• Provide care and support services to an adult Veteran population and serve as a point of contact for external customer service inventory needs and support.
• Use reporting tools to monitor and track open purchase-card orders to ensure timely service to Veterans.
• Research solicitation methods and ordering or reporting procedures for complex and simplified purchases in the purchase-card menu and prosthetics program.
• Collect data used to prepare and submit reports.
• Verify adherence to training and other contractual agreements.
• Perform inventory-management duties, including retrieving, stocking, and managing equipment and supplies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED