Purchasing Agent

Veterans Health Administration; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Altoona, PA seeks a Purchasing Agent to manage procurement of prosthetic equipment, supplies, and services for Veterans. You will review requests, ensure proper documentation, and coordinate purchases under federal guidelines.

Responsibilities include negotiating with vendors, authorizing complex orders, and maintaining workflow protocols to support timely delivery. Office hours are 8:00 am–4:30 pm, with ad-hoc telework not available for this position.

Qualifications

• There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
• If using foreign education, must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcript to receive credit.

Responsibilities

• Receives and analyzes Prosthetic Consults and prescriptions for items and home medical equipment.
• Reviews requests for completeness and proper documentation; procures items.
• Establishes workflow protocols to ensure timely execution of work.
• Coordinates work for special circumstances and with vendors as SME on policies.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is organizationally located in the Prosthetic Service within the Medical Center. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Chief Prosthetics Agent.

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent receives and analyzes Prosthetic Consults, and prescriptions for items, services and home medical equipment. The incumbent reviews requests for completeness, proper documentation and make arrangements to procure these items. Establishes workflow protocols to ensure the timely execution of work. Coordinate work for special circumstances.

As the subject matter expert (SME), will advise other services on the policies and procedures to establish requisitions for services, equipment and commodities. Review requests from various sources and making substitutions if necessary (within scope). As a subject matter expert, the incumbent will provide general guidance to potential vendors on requirements and information needed to be entered into the VHA's local vendor file.

Examine clinical health records and claims folders to determine eligibility and entitlement for items and services. Advise Veterans and clinicians in relation to eligibility for entitlements for items and services. Review clinical requests, determine sources and determine the availability of replacement parts and alternatives for power mobility, artificial limbs and other pieces of medical equipment. Procures specialized medical equipment, supplies and services for Veterans.

Procure specialized medical equipment with critical and unique characteristics and associated guidance from a variety of sources. Purchases various equipment, supplies, and services through the use of the government purchase card for micro purchase. The incumbent will negotiate prices with sole source vendors, persuade reluctant vendors and collect data for requirements not previously required.

Authorizes and prepares complex purchase orders for a wide variety of devices, medical supplies and durable medical equipment. Prepares complex purchase orders for a wide variety of devices, medical supplies and durable medical equipment. Execute price adjustments; resolve any discrepancies, modifications, amendments to purchase orders and cancelations of purchase orders. Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Purchasing Agent/PD99432A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements & Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $45409 – $59031/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-05.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.

Related Searches

Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Agent jobs, Purchasing Agent careers, apply Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Agent in Altoona, Purchasing Agent jobs Altoona, Purchasing Agent in Pennsylvania, Purchasing Agent jobs Pennsylvania, jobs in Altoona, careers in Altoona, jobs in Pennsylvania, federal jobs in Pennsylvania, government jobs Pennsylvania, jobs near Altoona, Pennsylvania, Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Health Administration jobs, Veterans Health Administration careers, Veterans Health Administration Altoona, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs jobs, Purchasing, Purchasing jobs, USAJOBS Purchasing, fed transition jobs, Purchasing Agent salary

Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-31 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov