Purchasing Agent

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/23/2026. 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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.? GS-5 Applicants- Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-05 Purchasing Agent 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: Working independently to complete purchase orders and reconcile charges, Conduct face-to-face and telephone conversations with patients, family members, and private medical staff, contractors, vendors, and co-workers, Researches the use of different solicitation methods, ordering or reporting procedures, and purchasing methods to distinguish between different purchasing strategies.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed four academic years above High School, leading to a Bachelor's Degree. 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 four years of education above High School, leading to a Bachelor's Degree.

GS-06 Purchasing Agent Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-06) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Working independently to complete purchase orders and reconcile charges.

Quickly deduce from written prescriptions or oral requests what items or services are needed, selecting the most appropriate cost-effective source to deliver the items/service in the most reliable manner. Maintains an inventory of all purchased and consignment equipment with expiration date, imitate exchange and/or replacement of expired stock. Providing patient care and support services to an adult population and serves as the point of contact for external customer service inventory needs and support.

01Preferred Experience

Government Purchase Card holder-someone who uses a Government Purchase Card to purchase Experience reviewing the electronic health record Can interpret clinical consults as it relates to medical terminology 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/.

The Purchasing Agent initiates procurement of all outpatient medical requirements to include direct individual purchases to the Veteran, medical surgical implants used during surgery, and/or rental requirements associated with continual outpatient medical equipment and supplies.

Major Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Consistently communicate and treats customer (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner Perform technical level purchasing to acquire Veteran specific medical equipment Supply and service based on a medical provider's clinical assessment and evaluation of the Veteran's medical condition Serve as the point of contact for external customer service needs and support Tailor the Veteran care/support services to meet the need(s) of the patient and service Provides necessary care coordination Responsible for various fund control points Complete a Veterans Record Transaction on the Veteran's medical record to ensure documentation of exactly what was purchased Maintain an awareness of products with possible recalls Determine, if feasible, to obligate and replace based on findings Initiate recall action of identified recall products Communicate actions taken within the Alerts and Recalls System Work closely with clinicians and suppliers to meet delivery deadlines Ensure emergent delivery and repairs are completed Clarify requirements and negotiate issues such as establishing adequate price reductions for deviations in product or delivery, modifying certain terms, or waiving penalties for returned items when contacting vendors Review medical records and specifications of devices being prescribed for specialty programs Work directly with clinical services and vendors to determine the appropriate devices Examine clinical health records and claims folders Determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services Ensure training is addressed before medical equipment is issued Identify priorities on pending requests to comply with VA Central Office mandated deadline Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite Knowledge of prosthetic regulations and policies Knowledge of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services Follow applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc.

Performs other related duties as assigned Some physical effort - standing, sitting, walking, or bending 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: Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST Telework: Available: Ad-Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD10312A and PD10313A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized