What are some careers in the medical field with little patient contact?

I'm a sophomore majoring in Bio right now, and I just realized that I don't really like having interactions with strangers. I work at a clothing store right now, and the task I hate the MOST is when I have to stand near the front and greet customers. It's easy, but for some reason I just hate it. I'm more introverted than extroverted and I enjoy working on things more than working on people, if you know what I mean. I know the medical field is very people oriented, and I would hate to change my major since I already have a lot of experience (volunteering, internships) so what are some careers that would fit me?

Interesting question. There are many medical careers that do not involve much patient interaction. These may range from clinical laboratory technicians, radiology technicians, research technicians, biomedical engineers, and more. Also, not all doctors spend time with patients. Radiology and pathology traditionally involve very little patient interaction. Other procedure-oriented fields may include anesthesia, surgery, and medical research.

It's important to realize that just because you are introverted does not mean you would not be good at patient contact. In fact, most medical personnel would probably hate being greeters too.

Laboratory technician! Phlebotomist (working with blood), histologist (working with body tissues).
Lab techs sometimes have to take blood samples, but that's about it.
You would be testing/analyzing samples and possibly sending them out for further study/testing, and then you'd be sending test results to doctors.

Try a plasma center or blood center. There are several positons that fit your education level. Quality Assurance, Processors, and Management. These positions pay big bucks and can be career for a lifetime with little or no contact with patients/donors.

Many of are fascinated by the medical field but not all of us want to have direct patient contact. You should be praised for recognizing this in yourself. You might consider any area of research. If you have a BS in Bio, you might snag a job as a research assistant. If it suits you, you could go on to earn your MS and PhD in whatever area interests you most. I would suggest also medical transcription or billing but I'd hate to see that degree you're going to get go to waste.

Therefore, I'd say steer clear of any jobs or careers that don't allow you to use it.

FYI: I agree with the suggestion of medical lab tech (MLT). There's also med tech (need a BS), cytotech, histotech and (go for the MD) pathologist. Phlebotomist is NOT one I'd suggest as phlebotomy absolutely requires patient contact.

Administrative duties, radiology, laboratory work, pharmacy, anesthesia-- are possibilities.

Anything in surgery, at least the patient will not be awake.

You're right, the medical field is very people-oriented. Contact with patients is almost guaranteed. Why do you want to enter 'the medical field' if you don't like people? Become a biologist.

Do you mean "become a physician"? The only areas where there's little (live) patient contact are certain areas of pathology and research. And they don't pay all that well (which is all that's left after caring for people). Even radiology techs work with patients.

If you've had a lot of experience with internships and volunteering that should really give you an accurate idea of whether you're suited for medicine. If you're not, then save yourself a lot of aggravation and heartache and don't become a doctor (you will not be a good one and you will not be happy), and be glad that you found out now rather than fifteen years down the road when it really *will* be too late to change!

It's a lot of hard work, all the time... and a lot of hard schooling. Do something you like, that's more important than anything.