Purchasing Agent

Purchasing Agent

The Purchasing Agent initiates procurement of all outpatient medical requirements to include direct individual purchases to the Veteran, medical surgical implants used during surgery, and/or rental requirements associated with continual outpatient medical equipment and supplies. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Consistently communicate and treats customer (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner
• Perform technical level purchasing to acquire Veteran specific medical equipment
• Supply and service based on a medical provider's clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veteran's medical condition
• Serve as the point of contact for external customer service needs and support
• Tailor the Veteran care/support services to meet the need(s) of the patient and service
• Provides necessary care coordination
• Responsible for various fund control points
• Complete a Veterans Record Transaction on the Veteran's medical record to ensure documentation of exactly what was purchased
• Maintain an awareness of products with possible recalls
• Determine, if feasible, to obligate and replace based on findings
• Initiate recall action of identified recall products
• Communicate actions taken within the Alerts and Recalls System
• Work closely with clinicians and suppliers to meet delivery deadlines
• Ensure emergent delivery and repairs are completed
• Clarify requirements and negotiate issues such as establishing adequate price reductions for deviations in product or delivery, modifying certain terms, or waiving penalties for returned items when contacting vendors
• Review medical records and specifications of devices being prescribed for specialty programs
• Work directly with clinical services and vendors to determine the appropriate devices
• Examine clinical health records and claims folders
• Determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services
• Ensure training is addressed before medical equipment is issued
• Identify priorities on pending requests to comply with VA Central Office mandated deadline
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Knowledge of prosthetic regulations and policies
• Knowledge of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services
• Follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Some physical effort - standing, sitting, walking, or bending

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST

Telework: Available: Ad-Hoc Only

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/ PD10312A and PD10313A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized