Purchasing Agent

Purchasing Agent This position is organizationally located in the Prosthetic Service within the Medical Center. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Chief and Assistant Chief of Prosthetic Service. The incumbent has coordination and active involvement with various Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) throughout VISN 17. Responsibilities include: Receiving and analyzing prosthetic consults and prescriptions for items, services, and home medical equipment from physicians, therapists, medical center personnel, patients, or their representatives. Reviewing requests for completeness, comparing disability or diagnosis to equipment and/or services normally provided for the condition, and ensuring proper documentation has been provided to justify the issuance and make arrangements to procure these items. Establishing workflow protocols to ensure the timely execution of work and coordinating work for special circumstances. Advising other services on policies and procedures to establish requisitions for services, equipment, and commodities. Reviewing requests from various sources and making substitutions if necessary (within scope). Providing general guidance to potential vendors on requirements and information needed to be entered into the VHA's local vendor file. Examining clinical health records and claims folders to determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services. Advising Veterans and clinicians in relation to eligibility for entitlements for items and services. Reviewing clinical requests, determining sources, and determining the availability of replacement parts and alternatives for power mobility, artificial limbs, and other pieces of medical equipment. Reconciling all invoices for certification of payment by reviewing Veteran records against invoices to ensure that accurate cost is being charged for service/item rendered and verifies the correct total cost. Following up in relation to parts and labor orders, returns shipping back to manufacturers, and accounting for warranty work. Maintaining accurate records of transactions and completing all adjustments to the computerized system. Maintaining accurate funding, billing, reconciling of accounts and sub-account balances to include the Prompt Payment Act as it affects vendors and the payment process between vendors and the VA Medical Center. Procuring specialized medical equipment, supplies, and services for Veterans. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD0826VS and PD0825VS Requirements: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/01/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: 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. To qualify for this position at the GS-5 level: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties as Purchasing Agent. To qualify for this position at the GS-6 level: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-05) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties as Purchasing Agent. You will be rated on the following competencies for this position: Contracting / Procurement Planning and Evaluating Communications Computer Skills Medical Information Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary and is carried out in an office setting. There exists prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal. Ability to retrieve equipment from a storage room is required. Climbing associated with stocking of equipment and other items in storage areas is necessary. Incumbent may carry/lift items weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Normal safety precautions are adequate. The work involves moderate discomfort when visiting sites away from the office. Education: There is no educational substitution at the GS-6 grade level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Additional Information: Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.