Purchasing Agent

Summary

The incumbent serves in the developmental capacity as a Purchasing Agent for Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within a VA Medical Facility. This position reports to either the Chief of Prosthetics or a Supervisory Prosthetic Representative within PSAS.

Requirements

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (09/24/2026). Federal employees must satisfy time‑in‑grade (TIG) requirements: for a GS‑06 position, 52 weeks at the GS‑05 level (any occupation) must be documented with an SF‑50. Former federal employees applying for reinstatement or VEOA appointments are also subject to TIG requirements.

Qualification pathways:

• Specialized Experience – GS‑05: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS‑04), including familiarity with status‑update processes, coordinating returns, warranty work, purchase‑order modifications, reconciliation of purchase requests, and responding to audits.
• Education: Four years of education beyond high school (transcript required) may substitute for the required experience.
• Combination: A mix of specialized experience and education beyond an associate’s degree (transcript required) may be used to qualify.
• Specialized Experience – GS‑06: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS‑05), demonstrating knowledge of purchasing regulations, price‑analysis techniques, acquisition clauses, supply and procurement policies, purchase‑card program regulations, analysis of critical patient equipment orders, equipment repair quotes, and relevant fiscal policies.

For detailed qualification standards, see the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website: OPM GS Qualification Standards.

Responsibilities

• Administration
  • Receive and analyze prosthetic consults, prescriptions, and requests for items, services, and home medical equipment.
  • Review requests for completeness and proper documentation; arrange procurement.
  • Establish workflow protocols to ensure timely execution and coordinate work for special circumstances.
  • Act as subject‑matter expert (SME) advising other services on policies and procedures for requisitions.
  • Review requests, make substitutions within scope, and guide vendors on requirements for entry into the VHA local vendor file.
  • Examine clinical health records and claims to determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services.
  • Advise veterans and clinicians on eligibility for entitlements.
  • Determine sources and availability of replacement parts and alternatives for power mobility, artificial limbs, and other equipment.
  • Ensure unique requests meet special prescribing procedures or guidance.
  • Reconcile invoices against veteran records to certify accurate payment and total cost.
  • Follow up on parts and labor orders, returns, warranty work, and manufacturer shipping.
  • Maintain accurate transaction records, adjust computerized systems, and manage funding, billing, and account reconciliations, including compliance with the Prompt Payment Act.
• Purchasing
  • Procure specialized medical equipment, supplies, and services for veterans (e.g., augmented speech devices, custom wheelchairs, vehicle modifications, specialized ramping).
  • Review configurations to determine the most cost‑effective solutions.
  • Purchase equipment, supplies, and services using the government purchase card for micro‑purchases.
  • Apply various purchasing strategies: solicitation methods, clause inclusion, offer evaluation, and lead‑time considerations.
  • Negotiate prices with sole‑source vendors, persuade reluctant vendors, and collect data for new requirements.
  • Authorize and prepare complex purchase orders for a wide variety of devices, medical supplies, and durable medical equipment.
  • Execute price adjustments, resolve discrepancies, modify or cancel purchase orders as needed.
  • Coordinate medical device orders that may involve multiple vendors and end users.
  • Collaborate with local vendors to ensure successful fulfillment.

Schedule

Work schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Telework is available on an ad‑hoc basis; eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. This is not a virtual position.