Purchasing Agent - Prosthetics

Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service Purchasing Agent

This position serves as a member of the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line under the VISN and will be located at the VA Medical Center, Asheville, North Carolina. Responsibilities include performing procurements within the simplified acquisition threshold through competitive open-market procedures or by placement of an order or blanket purchase agreement under a GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract; making purchases of equipment, commodities, and services using standard methods; determining any additional information needed to support or complete purchase requests; coordinating with requesting offices to obtain additional information determined necessary to support or complete purchase requests; performing 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. To include rentals to meet the outpatient medical needs of the services, which include all outpatient durable medical equipment and supplies, rehabilitation equipment, mobility and daily living aids, neuro-sensory, home oxygen, inpatient surgical implants and supplies; determining if requests or portions thereof can be met from Government sources; developing requests for quotation; identifying situations warranting vendor on-site orientations or conferences for prospective vendors prior to submissions of quotations; soliciting competitive offers; seeking new sources and potential vendors; evaluating responses to bids and requests for proposal; documenting all recommendations and actions; compiling statistics and preparing reports on purchasing activities; preparing purchase award documentation; and performing other related duties as assigned.

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

Requirements :

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959. Subject to background / security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Qualifications :

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY : In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must meet one of the following :

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE : GS-5 - Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal Service that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the GS-05 Purchasing Agent - Prosthetics position. Specialized experience includes procuring supplies and services to meet the purchase, rental, or lease needs of an organization; purchasing various equipment, supplies, and services; utilizing an automated system(s) to enter, update, revise, sort, and calculate data; and utilizing different ordering, reporting procedures, and purchasing methods. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) : Possess the successful completion of four (4) years above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university.

OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) : Possess the equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience as described above that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this Purchasing Agent position.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE : GS-6 - Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal Service that has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Purchasing Agent. Specialized experience includes initiating the procurement of all outpatient medical requirements, such as direct individual purchases, stock purchases for immediate availability, and all medical surgical implants used during surgery, as well as rental requirements for continuous outpatient medical equipment and supplies; balances expenditures against obligations between the programs, documenting all inventory, purchases, and actions in the patient's medical record.

You will be rated on the following competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position : Attention to Detail, Customer Service (Clerical / Technical), Manages Resources, Technical Competence.

IMPORTANT : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start / end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions : The work is sedentary; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as papers and books. The incumbent's work is normally performed in an office setting utilizing a computer terminal. Incumbent performs job site visits when necessary.