Purchasing Agent

This position is located in the Prosthetics & Sensory Aid Service within the Prosthetic Service Line at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The purpose of this position is to perform 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 Purchasing Agent is a member of the Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) within the West Palm Beach Medical Center and/or Community Base Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). 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, and Care in the Community Request for Service care coordination stemming from approved community authorizations for care. 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 critical direct patient care, Veteran facing position. Must work directly with the Veteran, hi/her family, surgeon or clinical provider, and the community care service. Initiates procurement of all outpatients' medical requirements to include but not limited to direct individual purchases to the Veteran, stock purchases for the immediate availability- point of care, all medical surgical implants used during surgery, and/or rental requirements associated with continual outpatient medical equipment and supplies. The Purchasing Agent has 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. Additional Duties Include But Not Limited To: Performs technical level purchasing adhering to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations ((VAAR), VHA, Prosthetics Directives, and Handbooks, Local and VIN 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. Obtain all necessary procurement information to successfully submit Acquisition Plans and Procurement Packages for stock and Veteran specific needs to the Network Contracting Office and uploads quotes, bids, invoices, consults and other important documents to the Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS. FORCE). Independently performs the process of vetting and vendorizing following VHA Prosthetics guidelines to complete purchases for items that aren't available through established vendor networks. Provides Veteran care and support services to an adult population and serves as the point of contact for external customer service inventory needs and support which often includes coordination between the clinician, our vendor networks, and the Veteran's specific circumstances to independently guidelines, adapting procedures, and deciding the approach for each specific situation. Routinely reviews for discrepancies or loopholes in lengthy specifications or statements of work that are very detailed, or otherwise to understand. Must frequently evaluate many different specifications or statements of work and work with the vendor on corrections to ensure the proper piece of medical equipment is purchased. Rental support requires necessary care coordination follow up initiation from PSAS to requester for additional days of rental and/or discontinued services from the VA to the Vendor. Coordinates with appropriate vendor for device retrieval and reconciliation of acquisition days to ensure daily fund rental fiscal accountability. Independently responsible for utilizing PSAS reporting tools to monitor and track PSAS open purchase card orders, to ensure timely service is provided to Veterans. Has the authority to obligate the Government in procurement actions up to the single micro-purchase threshold for open market and under established contracts for all types of goods and services. He/she has the responsivity for all procurement. actions taken within the limits of this authority and is responsible for protecting the Government's interest on all transactions in which he/she engages. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD03069T Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 (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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.