Purchasing Agent
The incumbent is a member of Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line under the VISN. Incumbents are assigned to the Medical Center. All incumbents have an active outpatient treatment program and inventory responsibly to include but are not limited to; Prosthetic and Sensory Aids; Fabrication Lab for Orthotic and Prosthetics, Audiology & Speech Pathology, Visual Impairment Services Team, Spinal Cord Injury, Cochlear Implant Team, Polytrauma Amputee Network Center, Rehabilitation Medicine, Medicine Service, Surgical Service, Ophthalmology, Dental Service, Podiatry, Women's Clinic, and Orthopedic Services. PSAS has coordination responsibility of the Amputee Clinic, Rehabilitation Brace Clinic, SCI Brace Clinic, Wheelchair Evaluation Clinic, Diabetic Foot Clinic, Major Medical Equipment Committee, Specialty Bed Clinic, Prosthetics and Orthotics, and Home Respiratory Care Team Committee. Additionally, the scope of the incumbent's duties falls to all Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) throughout the Network and specialized clinical referrals (all outside VA transfers from other facilities to VAMC from outside VISN. Performs direct medical supply Purchasing and Inventory Management support to the administrative and clinical services of the VA to initiate the obligation for all related requirements necessary to provide prosthetic and sensory aids services, to include durable medical equipment and supplies directly to Veterans. This is a direct patient care position and the incumbent must work directly with the Veteran, his/her family, surgeon or clinical provider. Initiates procurement of all outpatient medical requirements to include; direct individual purchases to the Veteran, stock purchases for immediate availability, all medical surgical implants used during surgery, and/or rental requirements associated with continual outpatient medical equipment and supplies. Read, understand, and adhere to VA Provider Prescriptions/Consult to determine eligibility and entitlement of a Veteran's status for prescribed equipment and understand and follow acquisition regulations per VHA Directives and Handbooks, VISN policies and station memorandums, the federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR). Account for all expenditures and inventory working between two separate programs, the purchase card and the prosthetics program; which require the use and knowledge of unique 2237 or 1358 obligation methods. Balance expenditures against obligations between the programs and document all inventory and purchasing actions in the Veteran's medical record and make medical notes to update the clinical provider, PSAS staff, Veteran and his/her family. Duties include:
Utilize knowledge of medical disorders and rehabilitation procedures to provide equipment necessary in rehabilitation. Based on the urgency of the need, the incumbent will select the most appropriate cost-effective source to deliver the items/service in the most reliable manner. Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers. Determine eligibility, check for necessary documentation on the consult, and determine if veteran should be referred to the appropriate clinic. Submits Acquisition Plans and Procurement packages for stock and Veteran specific needs. Performs purchasing support, adhering to all PSAS Directives, handbooks, regulations, and VISN and facility policy. Maintaining various sub-accounts of funds and obligate and authorize payments. Verifies accountability of all prosthetics expenditures in both the purchase menu and in the prosthetics program and associates all obligations to the individual Veteran. Balance of expenditures between several different programs. Serves as the point of contact for external customer service inventory needs and support. Utilize various computer programs. Verifies Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and Bradstreet information and ensures each vendor is in the System for Award Management (SAM) and in good standing to do business with the government. Account for all Prosthetic equipment and supplies in more than one computer database. Identify recalled products and initiate appropriate actions. 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:
Full-time, Monday - Friday 8:
00am-4:
30pm Telework:
Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#:
Purchasing Agent/PD19180A / 20207A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/27/2020. Time-In-Grade Requirement:
Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
Specialized
Experience:
Must possess (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Such knowledge and skills are identified in the Competence Assessment Checklist of the position and include knowledge and skills in:
Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers; Ordering of appropriate prosthetic appliances, purchase card reconciliation, stock and inventory control; Generating bilateral purchase orders for manufactured and custom equipment, delivery, installation and repairs of unique prosthetic devices and or appliances; Analyzing and interpreting unique and critical patient equipment orders that have critical characteristics; Budgeting control point maintenance and skills in accounting procedures, including basic math skills necessary to maintain accurate funding, billing and sub-account balances; Computer software programs, which are required to, complete patient processing in Prosthetics; Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print; The Medical Center, Hospital, or Community Based Outpatient Clinics Performance Improvement Program; How to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. Specialized
Experience:
Must possess (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Such knowledge and skills are identified in the Competence Assessment Checklist of the position and include knowledge and skills in:
Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers; Ordering of appropriate prosthetic appliances, purchase card reconciliation, stock and inventory control; Generating bilateral purchase orders for manufactured and custom equipment, delivery, installation and repairs of unique prosthetic devices and or appliances; Analyzing and interpreting unique and critical patient equipment orders that have critical characteristics; Budgeting control point maintenance and skills in accounting procedures, including basic math skills necessary to maintain accurate funding, billing and sub-account balances; Computer software programs, which are required to, complete patient processing in Prosthetics; Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print; The Medical Center, Hospital, or Community Based Outpatient Clinics Performance Improvement Program; How to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Analysis and Problem SolvingComputer SkillsControl of FundsCustomer Service 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; religions; 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. Note:
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. 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. Physical Requirements:
Work is primarily sedentary when conducing purchasing functions for PSAS, however 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. Work Environment:
Incumbent works in a health care office with the possibility of contact with ill and diseased patients. Normal duties are performed in an office setting, which has adequate heat, light, and ventilation; however, the incumbent must retrieve prosthetic items from various storage areas daily. The incumbent may on occasion, accompany the Site Manager and/or Prosthetic Representative on visits to the patients' homes or to a vendor for shop inspections. Incumbent has direct daily contact with patients and may handle equipment returned from Veterans with contagious diseases; hence, the incumbent is required to practice Universal Precautions in observance of normal safety practices with office equipment and prosthetics equipment and supplies; avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations is required. The area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https:
//www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Utilize knowledge of medical disorders and rehabilitation procedures to provide equipment necessary in rehabilitation. Based on the urgency of the need, the incumbent will select the most appropriate cost-effective source to deliver the items/service in the most reliable manner. Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers. Determine eligibility, check for necessary documentation on the consult, and determine if veteran should be referred to the appropriate clinic. Submits Acquisition Plans and Procurement packages for stock and Veteran specific needs. Performs purchasing support, adhering to all PSAS Directives, handbooks, regulations, and VISN and facility policy. Maintaining various sub-accounts of funds and obligate and authorize payments. Verifies accountability of all prosthetics expenditures in both the purchase menu and in the prosthetics program and associates all obligations to the individual Veteran. Balance of expenditures between several different programs. Serves as the point of contact for external customer service inventory needs and support. Utilize various computer programs. Verifies Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and Bradstreet information and ensures each vendor is in the System for Award Management (SAM) and in good standing to do business with the government. Account for all Prosthetic equipment and supplies in more than one computer database. Identify recalled products and initiate appropriate actions. 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:
Full-time, Monday - Friday 8:
00am-4:
30pm Telework:
Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#:
Purchasing Agent/PD19180A / 20207A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/27/2020. Time-In-Grade Requirement:
Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
Specialized
Experience:
Must possess (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Such knowledge and skills are identified in the Competence Assessment Checklist of the position and include knowledge and skills in:
Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers; Ordering of appropriate prosthetic appliances, purchase card reconciliation, stock and inventory control; Generating bilateral purchase orders for manufactured and custom equipment, delivery, installation and repairs of unique prosthetic devices and or appliances; Analyzing and interpreting unique and critical patient equipment orders that have critical characteristics; Budgeting control point maintenance and skills in accounting procedures, including basic math skills necessary to maintain accurate funding, billing and sub-account balances; Computer software programs, which are required to, complete patient processing in Prosthetics; Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print; The Medical Center, Hospital, or Community Based Outpatient Clinics Performance Improvement Program; How to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. Specialized
Experience:
Must possess (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Such knowledge and skills are identified in the Competence Assessment Checklist of the position and include knowledge and skills in:
Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers; Ordering of appropriate prosthetic appliances, purchase card reconciliation, stock and inventory control; Generating bilateral purchase orders for manufactured and custom equipment, delivery, installation and repairs of unique prosthetic devices and or appliances; Analyzing and interpreting unique and critical patient equipment orders that have critical characteristics; Budgeting control point maintenance and skills in accounting procedures, including basic math skills necessary to maintain accurate funding, billing and sub-account balances; Computer software programs, which are required to, complete patient processing in Prosthetics; Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print; The Medical Center, Hospital, or Community Based Outpatient Clinics Performance Improvement Program; How to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
Analysis and Problem SolvingComputer SkillsControl of FundsCustomer Service 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; religions; 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. Note:
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. 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. Physical Requirements:
Work is primarily sedentary when conducing purchasing functions for PSAS, however 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. Work Environment:
Incumbent works in a health care office with the possibility of contact with ill and diseased patients. Normal duties are performed in an office setting, which has adequate heat, light, and ventilation; however, the incumbent must retrieve prosthetic items from various storage areas daily. The incumbent may on occasion, accompany the Site Manager and/or Prosthetic Representative on visits to the patients' homes or to a vendor for shop inspections. Incumbent has direct daily contact with patients and may handle equipment returned from Veterans with contagious diseases; hence, the incumbent is required to practice Universal Precautions in observance of normal safety practices with office equipment and prosthetics equipment and supplies; avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations is required. The area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https:
//www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
- Department:
1105 Purchasing - Salary Range:
$43,164 to $62,351 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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