The Purchasing Agent is performing direct medical supply purchasing and inventory management support to the administrative and clinical services of South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS). Both locations are in San Antonio, Texas within Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS): Two position(s) are primarily at Audie L. Murphy VAMC One position primarily at North West San Antonio VA Clinic
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/20/2025. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge specific to equipment specification, equipment terminology, and medical terminology; Knowledge of purchasing methods; Knowledge of contracts, purchasing policies, equipment sources, trade policies, shipping procedures, and the corresponding terminology. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have possess the successfully completed 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. NOTE: One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond two (2) years. NOTE: Only education in excess the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: -Attention to Detail -Customer Service -Technical Competence -Manages Resources 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 conducting 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. There may be frequent walks 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/.
Duties may include but are not limited to: -Performs technical level purchasing adhering to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), VA Acquisition Regulation(VAAR), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and Prosthetics Directives and Handbooks, Veterans Integrated Service Network (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. -In-depth market research, collaboration with clinical providers, veterans, and manufacturers for validation of quote to medical prescription. -Responsible for utilizing Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) reporting tools to monitor and track PSAS open purchase card orders, to ensure timely service is provided to Veterans. -Performs independent technical level purchasing support adhering to the FAR, 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 providers clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veteran'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 Veteran. -Conduct work utilizing independent problem-solving skills in a STAT and routine manner, taking appropriate action based on the request from the clinical provider prescribing the device based on the interpreted instructions on the clinical prescription. -Monitors, receives, tracks, interprets, and analyzes Prosthetic Consults, and prescriptions (VAF 10-2431) for items, services, and home medical equipment from physicians, therapists, medical center personnel, Veterans, 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 Veteran of the same. -Responsible for successfully completing the mandatory purchase card training, allowing the incumbent to be a government purchase card holder and obligate funds on behalf of the government. -Adhere to all purchase card policies, applicable regulations, and ethical considerations. -Assists and trains new Purchasing Agents in ordering of appropriate prosthetic appliances, purchase card reconciliation, stock, and inventory control, etc.. -Responsible for the identification and recording of all equipment by documenting the serial, model, manufacturer, and other identifiable information for possible recall, and by expiration dates for necessary replacement. -Ensures correct Medicare Healthcare Common Procedure Coding (HCPC) is used to identify the items provided, along with verifying and annotating eligibility when provided to the Veteran. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PDHA671-00787-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized