The jobs of these agents are very critical. They are responsible of a section of a hospital. They supervise over the buying and the approval of various necessary items required by the hospital. Also the acquisition of various services that may benefit the hospital and the patients at large are also done by them. Their job is to seek reliable and quality suppliers and vendors of various medical items, equipments and also medicines. They also consider the price factor of these items. An extensive amount of searching is required to find the best possible source of these goods. They are also responsible for obtaining these items at the least possible price by proper negotiation. Purchasing agents are central to administering the negotiation process with the suppliers.
To emphasize the role of these purchasing agents, it can be said that the proper work flow or various activities that go on in a hospital shall be hindered if the proper equipment is not present at the proper location. Various important activities may come to a standstill. Hence their role is equally important when compared with any other hospital staffs.
Hospital purchasing agents are also responsible for the maintenance of these products, and altering them if necessary. They should know the technical specifications of the various equipment and also the quality of the material required. Hence they should have proper knowledge and familiarity of these products used, like the doctors and nurses. Moreover, they should also make sure that there is sufficient supply of equipment present in a hospital. This ensures proper work flow.
Hospital purchasing agents are bestowed with more important responsibilities. They are the ones who determine the quantity of a particular item needed. Also they schedule the appropriate time of the purchasing and delivery of equipments. They stay up to date with the stocks of materials and hence they determine whether to make a purchase of certain equipment during an interval of time. Also they determine which item to purchase when, according to the requirements of the hospital.
The earnings of these agents are quite good. A sufficient amount of salary can be drawn as an agent. Moreover, there are plenty of incentives and commissions if efficient and effective work can be shown.
Externally, the responsibility of a hospital-purchasing-agent may seem to be less significant when compared with doctors or nurses. It seems so because these agents are not in direct contact with the patients; but in reality, their job is comparable with the job of any doctor or nurse. It is upon them that the whole hospital depends on. If they falter, the work flow of the hospital shall cease. In other words, they are the people who equip the medical personnel with the equipment that they need to accomplish the medical treatments they promise to the patients.
