Meet Carmillia Carter
“Recruiting Manager” is Carmillia Carter’s official title at Cambridge Caregivers – but her role encompasses much more. Having worked as a caregiver herself and helped care for her own grandmother, Carter knows firsthand what it’s like to navigate caregiving, whether as a professional or a family member.
“When it comes to the clients and what they need, I totally get it,” Carter said. “And when it comes to our caregivers, what they need and what they’re going through, I totally get that, too.”
Carter oversees the hiring process for Cambridge Caregivers as well as Manchester Care Homes. (Her first name is Carmillia, but everyone calls her Carter – a choice she embraces since Carmillia can be tricky for people to pronounce.)
Carter joined Cambridge Caregivers in March, bringing 16 years of recruiting experience, including more than a decade as a recruiting manager in the healthcare field. Her professional background spans scheduling, HR and administration. At Cambridge, she’s also a listening ear for caregivers after they’ve joined the company.
“Our caregivers feel like they can come and talk to me about anything that’s going on, even if they’re just venting, because I’ve been there,” she said. “I know what their job is like, and I want caregivers to feel appreciated and valued.”
That empathy stems from experience. Carter’s path into caregiving was not a straight line. After high school, she trained as a cosmetologist and owned her own salon. Life changes steered her into the healthcare field, where she found her true calling. She started as a home health aide while raising her three children, later earning certifications as a medical assistant and phlebotomist. She has worked in hospitals, nursing facilities, hospice and one-on-one care.
“Over the years, I’ve supported clients with dementia, ALS and Parkinson’s,” Carter said. “When caregivers call me and talk about what they’re going through, I really do understand.”
A personal experience also deepened her understanding. When her grandmother developed cancer, Carter helped care for her during her final days and hired professional caregivers for the times when she couldn’t be there. “I’ve always liked my job,’ she said. “But that experience made me see things differently. It made me truly value what we do.”
At Cambridge, Carter oversees the full cycle of recruiting—from coordinating with scheduling to understand immediate hiring needs, to screening and interviewing candidates, to ensuring retention once a caregiver joins the team. “Recruiting management and employee relations—that’s my baby. I love it,” she said. “It’s not just about hiring. It’s about keeping caregivers engaged and supported so they can deliver outstanding care.”
Carter adds that the company’s culture makes this possible. “I’ve never worked for a company like Cambridge before,” she said. “Cambridge is truly a family. I know that’s a cliché, but I see it every day. Everyone treats each other with respect. The communication is outstanding. We even spend time together outside of work. I love that about this team.”
Born and raised in Dallas, with family roots in East Texas, Puerto Rico and Miami, Carter is the proud mother of three adult children: a 27-year-old son, a 24-year-old daughter serving in the Army, and a 21-year-old son. She is also a devoted “dog mom” to Princess, a chihuahua. Family, she said, grounds everything she does. “My kids are my inspiration,” she said. “They were the reason I worked so hard and shifted into healthcare in the first place.”
At the end of the day, Carter sees recruiting not just as hiring, but as helping people. “If I can help someone each and every day—whether it’s with a smile, a word of encouragement or just letting them vent—I’ve done my job,” she said.
That is why Carter’s presence at Cambridge goes far beyond the duties that come with her title.
“Recruiting is about more than filling roles,” she said. “It’s about building a community where caregivers and clients can thrive.”