Purchasing Agent

The Prosthetics Purchasing Agent is a member of Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the Prosthetic Service Line under the Pittsburgh VA Health System. The incumbent 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. The Prosthetics Purchasing Agent is a critical, direct patient care, Veteran-facing position that may need to be performed under close direction and supervision. These duties include: Complex purchasing that requires irregular research, analysis, collaboration and many other steps to ensure both best value and the most appropriate devices are purchased for the Veterans. Using guidance, direction, and direct use of policies and guidelines to perform technical level purchasing to acquire Veteran-specific medical equipment, supplies and services. Obtaining all necessary procurement information to successfully submit Acquisition Plans and Procurement Packages. Researching vendor resources. Providing patient care and support services. Serving as the point of contact for external customer service inventory needs and support; tailoring the patient care/support services to meet the specialized need of the individual patient and the clinical service it supports. Evaluating many different specifications or statements of work and reviewing for discrepancies. Coordinates with vendors for device retrieval and reconciliation of acquisition days to ensure daily fund rental fiscal accountability. Utilizing reporting tools to monitor and track open purchase card orders. Utilizing the responsibility for all procurement actions within the limits of authority while protecting the Government's interest on all transactions. Researching the use of different solicitation methods, ordering or reporting procedures in both the purchase card menu and the prosthetics program. Being aware of products with recalls and communicating all findings. Resolving a variety of purchasing issues, such as, purchasing specialized/customized equipment or services with unstable price or product characteristic, hard-to-locate sources, have critical characteristics, or similar complications. Remaining up-to-date on practices, procedures, and products. Ensuring all the requirements required by/to the contracting officer are met. Documenting the services required per the contractual agreement. Monitoring, tracking and contractor performance. Managing data collection which will be used in preparing reports. Coordinating delivery time frames, care for travel and completion of appropriate forms and referrals. Displaying a positive image and being highly motivated to seek ways to expedite patient processing, accomplish the VA mission, and adapt to the ever-changing world of health care. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD03542A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/14/2026. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: the ability to understand and process medical prescription, equipment request and patient and/or care service. Maintaining regular contact with vendors, contractors, medical center professionals and staff. Utilizing a variety of databases and computer systems. Purchasing equipment, supplies and services using an agency/organization purchase card. Reconciling charges and preparing and submitting reports. 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/. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. There is no educational substitution at this grade level.