Purchasing Agent

Duties

• Performs technical level purchasing adhering to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), VHA, and Prosthetics Directives and Handbooks, VISN policy and station memorandums to acquire Veteran-specific medical equipment, supplies, and services based on a medical provider’s clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veteran’s 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.
• Tailors the patient care/support services to meet the specialized needs 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.
• 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 PSAS reporting tools to monitor and track 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 Veteran’s medical evaluation.
• 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, including imitate exchange and/or replacement of expired stock.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily sedentary when conducting purchasing functions for the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service.
• While conducting inventory management functions, the incumbent may work comfortably in a warehouse environment, sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, carrying, retrieving, and managing inventory.
• Prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal is required.
• 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.
• At times, the employee may be required to wear protective clothing when visiting the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Fabrication Laboratory.
• Often, walking between the main medical center and other parts of Prosthetics to conduct professional duties.