Purchasing Agent

Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Walla Walla
Posted on: January 13, 2022

Job Description:

Summary The incumbent is an employee of the Veterans Integrated Services Network 20 (VISN20) Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service Line, headquartered in Vancouver, WA, with the position itself located in Walla Walla, WA. The incumbent is a member of a team providing patient care, services and support to an adult, Veteran population with specialized needs and whose level of disability increases each year. The incumbent will perform the duties of this position for facilities VISN 20-wide. Responsibilities The incumbent works with the individual Medical Center's and Prosthetics staff to procure and/or manage the procurement of prosthetic devices for eligible patients. The incumbent receives and analyzes prosthetic request forms (VA Form 10-2431 and prescriptions (electronic Prosthetics Consult) from physicians, therapists, patients and their representatives. Requests are reviewed for completeness, comparing the disability or diagnosis to equipment and/or services normally provided for the condition of which they are requested and for proper documentation of medical justification for the items, services and durable medical equipment being requested. The incumbent examines clinical health records and claims folders to determine legal eligibility and medical entitlement for prosthetic items and services based on criteria. S/he must complete research on the item being requested to ensure FDA approval, and that it meets National, VISN and Local Prosthetic guidelines as a prosthetic device. The incumbent advises Veterans on the outcome of eligibility and medical entitlement determinations, orally and in writing. Prioritized workload requests to comply with mandated timeliness standards. Ensures that requests are posted to the suspense logs and enters data to verify workload statistics used to determine Prosthetics funding. The incumbent authorizes and prepares complex purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and sensory aid devices, medical supplies, surgical implants and durable medical equipment. These orders are complex because of the unique or highly technical nature of the items and services required. The incumbent authorizes and prepares complex purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices, medical supplies, surgical implants, and home medical equipment and repairs. The incumbent may accomplish final review and approval of these orders. They will have contractual authority and are empowered to obligate the government in procurement actions for open market and under established FSS decentralized and local beneficiary service contracts for all types of services. The incumbent is responsible for all procurement actions taken within the limits of their purchasing authority (up to the $10K micro-purchase threshold or greater if the item is on a mandated national surgical contract) and is responsible for protecting the government's interest on all transactions in which s/he engages. The incumbent will ensure that all the requirements inherent to the contracting officer are met, including, but not limited to, solicitations, socioeconomic and follow-up. The incumbent operates the Prosthetics software package to maintain detailed and accurate accounting of all actions taken for Veterans and documents their records to show all items and services provided. S/he is responsible for data collection used in preparing and submitting numerous reports. Data is analyzed and used to measure compliance with program goals, OIG recommendations, VHA performance measures, and fiscal oversight to ensure adequate resource funding, support medical care cost recovery (MCCR) initiatives, Joint Commission standards, VHA requirements (e.g., socioeconomic goals, etc.) and assist in formulating future patient care goals. Selecting and using the appropriate method to confirm and place orders (i.e., delivery orders, purchase orders and calls against blanket purchase agreements and credit cards). When necessary solicits quotes either orally or by issuing requests for quotations (RFQ's) when items with detailed technical or specialized specifications are required. Ensuring compliance with national prosthetic contracts/SPA's and entering accurate purchasing data into prosthetics databases and ensuring purchase card reconciliations are accurate and completed in a timely manner. Follows-up on orders to ensure they are closed out in a timely manner (normally, not later than 30days). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30p Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD10347A, PD10346A, and PD10345A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet specialized experience and time in grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 01/18/2022. 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. For a GS-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-3 or higher. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5 or higher. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6 or higher. 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 and/or education as described below: GS-5 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Fundamental knowledge of medical disorders and the prosthetic devices utilized in the treatment of the same. Fundamental knowledge of a body of purchasing regulations, methods, procedures, and business practices to make purchasing involving specialized requirements and/or commercial requirements that have unstable price or product characteristics, hard to locate sources, many critical characteristics or similar complicating factors. Introductory knowledge of medical terminology, physical and sensory disabilities, basic anatomy and kinesiology is imperative. The ability to interpret oral and written instructions from physicians and therapists. Limited knowledge of a variety of standard and custom medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic appliances. Basic knowledge of their purpose and function and the basic knowledge for troubleshooting/repairing of this equipment. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month & year starting and ending dates AND hours worked per week. 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 (4) years of education above the high school level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. NOTE: If you are qualifying on education, transcripts are required. 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 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. NOTE: If you select this option, a copy of your transcripts is required. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Your resume must indicate clearly the nature of your duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. GS-6 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Advanced knowledge of medical disorders and the prosthetic devices utilized in the treatment of the same. Advanced knowledge of a body of purchasing regulations, methods, procedures, and business practices to make purchasing involving specialized requirements and/or commercial requirements that have unstable price or product characteristics, hard to locate sources, many critical characteristics or similar complicating factors. Advanced knowledge of medical terminology, physical and sensory disabilities, basic anatomy and kinesiology is imperative. The ability to interpret oral and written instructions from physicians and therapists. Advanced knowledge of a variety of standard and custom medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic appliances. Advanced knowledge of their purpose and function and the basic knowledge for troubleshooting/repairing of this equipment. GS-7 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Expert knowledge of medical disorders and the prosthetic devices utilized in the treatment of the same. Expert knowledge of a body of purchasing regulations, methods, procedures, and business practices to make purchasing involving specialized requirements and/or commercial requirements that have unstable price or product characteristics, hard to locate sources, many critical characteristics or similar complicating factors. Expert knowledge of medical terminology, physical and sensory disabilities, basic anatomy and kinesiology is imperative. The ability to interpret oral and written instructions from physicians and therapists. Expert knowledge of a variety of standard and custom medical equipment, prosthetic and orthotic appliances. Expert knowledge of their purpose and function and the basic knowledge for troubleshooting/repairing of this equipment. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer SkillsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Interpersonal SkillsProblem SolvingTechnical Competence 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: The work requires some physical effort such as standing, walking bending, or sitting. There are no special physical demands in this position. 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/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education, available for GS-5 only.. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Spokane , Purchasing Agent, Sales , Walla Walla, Washington