Purchasing Agent - Prosthetics and Sensory Aids
What you'd do
Employee will serve as a Purchasing Agent within Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service located at the Veterans Healthcare System in Livermore, CA and Marina, CA.
Major duties
***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-6. At the GS-5 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of Gs-6. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The purpose of this position will perform direct medical supply purchasing and inventory management support to the administrative and clinical services of the VA. Duties will include but may not be limited to the following: Deduces from written prescriptions and oral requests what items or services are needed and/or conduct follow up information requests to the initiator to clarify the medical need or device specifications, based on the patient's medical evaluation. Triages consults based on urgency of the need. Selects the most appropriate cost-effective source to deliver the items/service in the most reliable manner. Obligates purchase orders for equipment and/or supplies, or the rental of services in a timely manner. Manages and monitors the List Open Purchase Card Transactions by Initiator (LPCI) report for unreconciled orders on a regular basis and in accordance with local guidelines and supervisory direction, ensuring vendors receive purchase orders, items were shipped, purchase orders were charged, and items were received. Utilizes multiple levels of micro purchase threshold authority, and these micro purchase thresholds uniquely influence the major duties and responsibilities in this position, particularly the complex purchasing major duty. Performs independent 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 based on a medical providers clinical assessment and evaluation of the patient's medical condition. Verifies accountability of all prosthetics expenditures in both the purchase menu and the prosthetics program and associates all obligations to the individual patient. They ensure the services provided are documented as the type of service and duration. Verifies adherence to training and other contractual agreements. Follow up action on the status of all these orders is required weekly until purchased and direct patient care is completed. 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. Examines clinical health records and claims folders to determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services based on adopted criteria and advises patient of the same. Reconciles invoices for certification of payment by reviewing patient records against invoice presented to ensure that accurate cost is being charged for service/item rendered. Trains new Purchasing Agents on the latest Prosthetics/Medical purchasing software packages as they relate to the Patient Services. Ensures accountability of all stock equipment issued, linking to individual patient. Independently documents issued equipment to alert for replenishment. Accounts for and balances expenditures in both the purchase card and prosthetics inventory program. Prepares item descriptions for new items entering supply channels, performing work involved in the publication of stock lists for both the Prosthetics Program and the Purchase Card Menu. Performs other similar or related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this Purchasing Agent position, applicant(s) must meet the following qualification requirements. GS-5 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes performing purchasing functions in support of administrative and/or clinical supplies and equipment; utilizing various computer software programs and databases to enter data, compose correspondence, and maintain documentation. OR GS-5 EDUCATION (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Successfully completed 4 years of education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. OR GS-5 COMBINATION (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of 2 years) and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. GS-6 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes performing purchasing functions in support of administrative and/or clinical supplies and equipment; utilizing various computer software programs and databases to enter data and maintain purchasing and inventory documentation; and reconciling purchasing card invoices to account for, verify, and balance expenditures. There is no education substitution for the specialized experience at the GS-6 grade. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: work is primarily sedentary when conducting purchasing functions. However, while performing inventory management function, may work comfortably in a warehouse environment, sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, carrying, retrieving and managing inventory. Prolongs periods of working at a computer terminal is required. Ability to retrieve equipment from a storage room is required. Climbing associated with stocking equipment and other items in storage areas is necessary. May carry/lift items weighing up to 25 pounds. Normal safety precautions are adequate. Work involves moderate discomfort when visiting sites away from the office. At times, 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. 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/.
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