Inventory Mgt Specialist

Summary

This position serves as an Inventory Manager for Prosthetics Service in the VA Pittsburgh HCS and supported catchment area, with responsibility for the inventory management of all durable medical equipment (DME).

Responsible to assure equipment is available to be issued directly to veterans to assure no delay in patient care.

Duties

Inventory Management and Control:
Manages and controls multiple Prosthetics inventory. Inventories managed include a wide variety of expendable items and durable medical equipment (DME). Acts as a central point of contact for the resolution of prosthetic inventory problems. Makes decisions and commitments for the medical center on medical/surgical implants and supplies.

Researches opportunities for and conducts analysis of potential cost savings, efficiencies, and process improvements using quantitative analysis and historical usage patterns.

Utilizes performance measures to conduct forecasting and quantitative analysis. Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Other major duties include:

• Conducts short, mid and longterm advanced planning for expendable items and DME, utilizing enterprisewide computerized planning tools. Analyzes data, VA HCS operations, procurement leadtime, current stock levels and other factors which impact procurement decisions.
• Uses a range of inventory principles, standard and nonstandard methodologies, and concepts to determine need to intervene in the supply system in response to fluctuations in rates of usage, cost, availability for established suppliers, alternative sources of supply and other similar conditions.
• Applies knowledge of systems, techniques and underlying management concepts for determining, regulating and controlling the level and flow of supplies from the initial planning stages with service lines. This includes reconciling charges for equipment issued and delivered to veterans.
• Forecasts short and longrange inventory needs.
• Participates in VISN and facility strategic planning to support major and minor projects and initiatives.
• Develops acquisition strategies to acquire and purchase DME, familiarity with contracting laws and regulations with industry practices. Places high cost items into FORCE initiating all supporting documentation.
• Conducts data analysis for acquisition planning.
• Assists customers in identifying products and provides options for appropriate procurement packages. Determines the best purchasing and payment method to utilize. Decisions regarding procurement methods are made in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the VA Acquisition Regulations (VAAR)for competition and formal advertisement.

*Analyzes and advises the customer on supply/DME purchase recommendations utilizing the "best value".

• Authorizes significant changes in expenditure and stock levels based on usage requirements and budgeting considerations.

*Reviews and reports back to Program Manager on listings of delinquent payments and receipts of purchase orders. Corresponds with procurement officials, vendors, clinicians and other stakeholders to resolve inventory issues.

• Functions as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) in order to monitor supply and/or equipment contractor performance.
• Utilizes automated inventory management system, such as General Inventory Package (GIP) or other equivalent system (PIP), to maintain current inventory data.
• Analyzes inventory management reports.
• Coordinates with various program managers of using activities and/or their representatives regarding sources of supply and acceptable substitutions when the standard items are too costly or unavailable. Coordinates with stakeholders to ensure new or replacement item requests are submitted to the Clinical Product Review Committee (CPRC).

Supports other elements of the organization and performs other duties as assigned.

Returns, Recalls and Reutilization:
Implements federal and agency programs for the return and reutilization of medical equipment. Uses well established and commonly applied supply methods to maintain a standardized inventory. Coordinates with managers for disposal of surplus or excess supplies in accordance with specific agency directives and procedures. Implements procurement decisions in coordination with stakeholders based on back order issues created by national recalls.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

Compressed/Flexible:
not authorized

Telework:
not authorized

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#:
Inventory Mgt Specialist
/PD00952A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

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