Purchasing Agent

The Purchasing Agent is a member of the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line and performs 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*** Major duties and responsibilities include: Performs technical level purchasing adhering to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and Prosthetics Directives and Handbooks, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) policy and station memorandums to acquire Veteran-specific medical equipment, supplies and services based on a medical providers clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veterans medical condition. Obtains all necessary procurement information to successfully submit Acquisition Plans and Procurement Packages for stock and Veteran specific needs to the Network Contracting Office and uploads quotes, bids, invoices, consults, and other important documents to the Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS/FORCE). Provides patient care and support services to an adult population and serves as the point of contact for external customer service inventory needs and support.

Must tailor the patient care/support services to meet the specialized need(s) of the individual patient and the clinical service it supports. Reviews for discrepancies or loopholes in lengthy specifications or statements of work that are very detailed, or otherwise difficult to understand. These situations often come up for custom in-home installation of complex pieces of medical equipment.

Rental support requires necessary care coordination follow up initiation from Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) to requestor for additional days of rental and/or discontinued services from the VA to the Vendor. Coordinates under close direction and supervision, with appropriate vendor for device retrieval and reconciliation of acquisition days to ensure daily fund rental fiscal accountability. Utilizes Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) reporting tools to monitor and track Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) open purchase card orders, to ensure timely service is provided to Veterans.

Quickly deduces from written prescriptions or oral requests what items or services are needed and/or conducts follow up information requests to the initiator to clarify the medical need or device specifications, based on the Veterans medical evaluation. Based on the urgency of the need, selects the most appropriate cost-effective source to deliver the items/service in the most reliable manner. Monitors, receives, tracks, interprets, and analyzes Prosthetic Consults, and prescriptions for items, services and home medical equipment from physicians, therapists, medical center personnel, patients, or their representatives.

Reviews requests for completeness, comparing disability or diagnosis to equipment and/or services normally provided for the condition for which they are requested, and/or proper documentation has been provided to justify the issuance. Identifies and records all equipment by documenting the serial, model, manufacturer and other identifiable information for possible recall, and by expiration dates for necessary replacement. Maintains an inventory of all purchased and consignment equipment with expiration date, imitate exchange and/or replacement of expired stock.

Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved