In 2010, ASTRO launched a national plan, Target Safely, to improve patient safety and reduce the risk of medical errors in radiation therapy. One recommendation was the expansion of quality and safety education. To meet this objective, we implemented a quality and safety culture education program (Q-SCEP) to improve awareness of human errors and high-risk situations. The purpose of this study was to describe the design, implementation, and impact of a novel Q-SCEP in a large radiation oncology department. Beginning in 2010, a course entitled “Human Error Fundamentals” was instituted to educate our department on quality and safety culture (SC) fundamentals. Over 19 sessions were offered across all 7 network sites. Participation was mandatory for all, except research-only staff. In 2013/early 2014, an updated course, “Human Error Reduction and a Strong SC” was again required for the same targeted audience. Courses consisted of lectures and workshops led by our quality and safety manager and/or external safety consultant; a syllabus of relevant literature was provided. In 2012 and 2014, electronic surveys were administered using the internet-based survey system to evaluate employee engagement, SC knowledge, learning styles, and the program’s impact; ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. One hundred percent of all targeted staff participated in the courses between 2010 and 2015; 33% (132/400) and 30% (136/450) of the department responded to surveys in 2012 and 2014, respectively. There was broad representation of the clinical, radiobiology and physics divisions; overall, mean scores improved from 73% to 89% (P<.001) with the largest improvement amongst therapists (+21.7%). Both years, attending physicians scored the highest and most respondents preferred aural learning formats. Over 87% strongly agreed or agreed that ample SC educational opportunities had been provided to them, and 90% strongly agreed or agreed that SC education was critical to performing their job well. Our Q-SCEP improved staff awareness and knowledge and was of significant value to clinical practice. Full compliance with the mandatory courses was achieved despite the sizable number of participants and treatment centers within the department. Postcourse assessments demonstrated high knowledge retention that significantly improved over time in nearly all department divisions. These results will be used to further enhance ongoing internal safety initiatives and inform future efforts to expand our Q-SCEP model to other departments nationwide.Poster Viewing Abstracts 3240; Table 1Survey Results of Main DivisionsResponse Rate % (n)Mean Score (%), SDP valueYear2012201420122014Totaln=132n=13673, 1.689, 1.4<.0001Therapy29% (38)24% (33)65, 1.786, 1.4<.0001Attendings17% (22)13% (17)82, 1.293, 1.0.05Physics11% (14)16% (22)79, 0.095, 0.0<.0001Nursing10% (13)8% (11)78, 0.197, 0.1<.0001 Open table in a new tab