In just a tiny drop of blood, physicians can diagnose a variety of diseases and medical conditions.

For more than 30 years, medical technologist Jean Buss has played a critical, behind the scenes role in the lives of hospital patients. "I'm the person that analyzes that blood, gives the results to the doctor, therefore he can make the diagnosis."

Laboratory manager Gail Edelen says that becoming a laboratory technician takes years of schooling and hard work. "We all have a bachelors of science in medical technology. Then we also have to get a state of Florida license and a national certification."

Gail also says that once a patient comes into the emergency room or is admitted into the hospital, a variety of blood tests may be ordered by their attending physician. "We often run baseline tests and then we will run tests any additional days or hours to see how everything has changed."

For over 3 decades, Jean still loves the challenges her job as a medical laboratory technician offers. "It's fun, it's challenging, you have to be a mechanic, and you have to be an engineer. You have to be a problem solver."

Chances are you'll never even get to see their faces, but the truth of the matter is, lab technicians play a vital role in the health care of everyone in Southwest Florida.

Medical technicians need to renew their certification every other year by obtaining 30 hours of continuing education credits.