Purchasing Agent

Duties

The incumbent receives and analyzes Prosthetic Consults and prescriptions for items, services, and home medical equipment from physicians, therapists, medical center personnel, patients, or their representatives.

The incumbent reviews requests for completeness, comparing disability or diagnosis to equipment and/or services normally provided for the condition for which they are requested, and ensures that the proper documentation has been provided to justify the issuance and makes arrangements to procure these items.

Major duties include:

• Establishes workflow protocols to ensure the timely execution of work
• Coverage of special circumstances
• As the subject matter expert (SME), advises other services on the policies and procedures to establish requisitions for services, equipment, and commodities
• Reviews requests from various sources and makes substitutions if necessary (within scope)
• Examines clinical health records and claims folders to determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services
• Advises Veterans and clinicians in relation to eligibility for entitlements for items and services
• Follows up in relation to parts and labor orders, returns shipping back to manufacturers, and accounts for warranty work
• Purchases specialized medical equipment, supplies, and services for Veterans
• Purchases specialized medical equipment with critical and unique characteristics and associated guidance from a variety of sources
• Purchases various equipment, supplies, and services through the use of the government purchase card for micro purchases
• Negotiates prices with sole source vendors, persuades reluctant vendors, and collects data for requirements not previously required
• Authorizes and prepares complex purchase orders for a wide variety of devices, medical supplies, and durable medical equipment
• Executes price adjustments, resolves any discrepancies, modifications, amendments to purchase orders, and cancels purchase orders
• Collaborates with local vendors to coordinate work

Competencies

Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Technical Competency
Manages Resources

Physical Requirements

The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.