Purchasing Agent

The Purchasing Agent is a member of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service Line. The incumbent receives and analyzes prosthetic request forms and prescriptions from physicians, therapists, patients and patient representatives.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/05/2026.

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. For a GS6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS5. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Knowledge of procurement regulations in making purchases.
  • Knowledge of solicitation and purchasing methods (i.e., oral solicitations, blanket purchase agreements, open market purchase, etc.).
  • Knowledge of basic arithmetic to make simple comparisons of price, discounts, costs or similar items.
  • Using a computer to enter, extract and track data.
  • Communicating with a variety of customers and staff via oral, written, and presentation methods to respond to customer inquiries and provide excellent service.

Preferred Experience:

• Performs independent technical-level purchasing support adhering to the FAR, VAAR, VHA, and Prosthetics Directives and Handbooks, VISN policy and station memorandums to acquire patient-specific medical equipment, supplies, and services based on a medical provider's clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veteran's medical condition.
• Displays a positive image and is highly motivated to seek ways to expedite patient processing, accomplish the VA mission, and adapt to the ever-changing world of health care.
• Utilizes independent problem-solving skills in a STAT and routine manner, taking appropriate action based on the request from the clinical provider prescribing the device based on the interpreted instructions on the clinical prescription.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Responsibilities:

Major duties for this position may include (but are not limited to):

• Reviews prosthetic requests for completeness and for proper documentation and justification of the items, services and durable medical equipment being requested
• Compares the diagnosis to the equipment or services normally provided for the condition
• Examines clinical health records and claims folders to determine legal eligibility and medical entitlement for prosthetic items and services
• Advises veterans on the outcome of eligibility and entitlement determinations.
• Authorizes and prepares complex purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and sensory aids devices, medical supplies and durable medical equipment
• Coordinates the delivery of home medical equipment, including oxygen therapy, through contracted providers
• Ensures that funding allocations for the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service Line reflect correct expenditures and balances utilizing Fiscal policies and procedures
• Reconciles all invoices for certification of payment by reviewing veterans records against invoices presented to ensure that accurate cost is being charged for the service or item
• Computes correct total costs and resolves any discrepancies with vendors
• Maintains accurate record of transactions
• Makes purchases through automated process or through utilization of a purchase card
• Completes all adjustments in automated system before final payment to vendor is certified
• Reconciles daily activity sheets with actual service expenditures
• Posts all adjustments that affect service fund control points in a timely manner to ensure availability of funds
• Performs in strict conformance with proper accounting procedures
• Operates the Prosthetics software package to maintain detailed and accurate accounting of all actions taken for veterans and documents their records to show all items and services provided
• Responsible for data collection used in preparing and submitting numerous reports
• Conducts quarterly inventory of prosthetic stock in compliance with procedures and regulatory requirements
• Issues items from stock and initiates purchase orders to replenish stock items when needed
• Separates returned items based on whether they are clean or soiled, and initiates paperwork to condemn items that cannot be used
• Reviews incoming shipments for correct quantities and initiates paperwork to correct deficiencies
• Maintains continuous liaison with vendors, medical center professionals and staff ensure timely acquisition and provision of items and services to veterans
• Researches information on prosthetic appliances, services and medical equipment from local and national sources
• Determines differences between similar products and researches compatibility of products from different manufactures
• Advises physicians and other professional staff on the availability, selection and acquisition of prosthetic devices or services
• Interviews veterans reporting to the service and receives phone calls from beneficiaries
• Advises patients, family members or other representatives on decisions, appeal rights, and equipment safety and maintenance

Performs other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM EST
Telework: Not Eligible for telework.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD11378A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Salary : $45,409